European Charter on Hunting and Biodiversity

• Provides a set of non-binding principles and guidelines for
sustainable hunting (with firearms, bows, traps, hounds or birds of
prey) to facilitate biodiversity conservation and rural development;
• Encourages hunter involvement in monitoring, management, and
research efforts directed towards stewardship and the conservation of
wildlife and their habitats;
• Promotes cooperation between hunters and other stakeholders in
the conservation and management of biodiversity.
• Seeks to ensure that hunting tourism is sustainable;
• Promotes forms of hunting tourism that provide local communities
with socio-economic incentives to conserve and manage wildlife and
their habitats, as well as general biodiversity;
• Makes recommendations for hunting tour operators and hunters
who engage their services.
• Promotes measures that increase hunter proficiency and safety
• Encourages hunter education, awareness and information
measures;
• Promotes best hunting practices.

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The Council of Europe’s Bern Convention is an international legal instrument, binding for its Contracting Parties, in the field of nature conservation, which covers most of the natural heritage of the European continent.

The Convention places a particular importance on the need to protect endangered natural habitats and vulnerable species, including migratory species. Its Standing Committee (T-PVS) monitors the implementation of the Convention at each of its meetings by reviewing reports, processing case-files and adopting recommendations.
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The European Charter on Hunting and Biodiversity promotes principles and guidelines intended to ensure that hunting and hunting tourism in Europe are practiced in a sustainable manner, making a positive contribution to the conservation of species and habitats and the needs of society.

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Strengthening of compliance with specific obligations contained in the Convention has been identified as a critical issue for the effective conservation and management of migratory species. With the aim to facilitate the implementation of the Convention and promote its effectiveness, the 12th meeting of the Conference of the Parties (Manila, 2017) adopted Resolution 12.09 to establish a Review Mechanism and a National Legislation Programme.

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List of Species of CMS