France halves cost of hunting permits and raises subsidies

The French government’s support for its hunters has continued with a halving of the cost of the hunting licence and a huge increase in the support provided to hunting associations.

French hunters are a politically powerful group and president Emmanuel Macron has been keen to ensure their support. In the presidential election earlier this year, National Hunters’ Federation president Willy Schraen endorsed Macron, who was re-elected.

Macron has cut the cost of hunting licences from €400 (£340) to

€200 (£170). Macron’s government has also greatly increased the support provided to hunting organisations with grants rising from €27,000 (£22,800) to €6.3 million (£5.3 million) over the past five years. The change is partly due to increased numbers of hunters, but since 2019 hunting societies have taken over responsibilities from local governments and received support to meet the costs.

The cost of a hunting permit in France is falling, while government subsidies are rising to €6.3 million