The regional council leader Carole Delga met representatives of the "chasse" and fishing groups and agreed to grant 1.3 million euros to help with their conservation activities. About half goes on fishing clubs to help with river and lake conservation and stocking. For the hunters they regret that none of the cash will go towards their training, safety and compensation to agriculteurs whose crops are damaged by wild animals. Ironically they say some will aid their programme to "reintroduce" local animals - presumably excluding bears and wolves.
We imagine establishing populations of pheasant, pigeon and partridge may figure on their list - or is that just cynicism?
