"The nature conservation and game management sectors had come to a historical agreement, which has been accepted by state and non-governmental representatives of both areas" – said Zsolt Semjén during his opening speech at the 19th Fishing, Hunting and Arms International Exhibition (FeHoVa), held at the Budapest exhibition centre Hungexpo.

In his opening speech, Minister for Rural Development Sándor Fazekas stressed that the agreement includes solutions that are advantageous to both sectors. Consensus was reached on which species may be hunted, the hunting season for small game, as well as on regulations regarding the import of various trophies.

Deputy Prime Minister Zsolt Semjén, Managing Director of the National Hungarian Association for the Protection of Hunting, announced that he would do everything possible to restore the honour of hunting and hunters. Problems are being reviewed and handled in sequence, and so for instance plans include the introduction of new powers to enable both the police and hunters to take effective steps against poachers, based on the new Penal Code. On their recommendation, the Central Agriculture Office has made an official accusation to police concerning a group of hunters on suspicion of organised crime including cruelty to animals and fraud, because they set up and ran hunts for foreigners to shoot genetically manipulated capital fallow and roe stags.

"During elaboration of the agreement concerning which species may be hunted, the hunting season for small game, and regulations regarding the import of various trophies, the Ministry took special care to make sure the agreement included solutions that were advantageous to both sectors" – stressed Sándor Fazekas in his opening speech. Provision of the legal, financial and institutional framework required for the implementation of the agreement by the Ministry makes it possible for game populations and the natural habitats of endangered species to remain untouched, while at the same time preventing the splitting and breaking up of those habitats. The Minister promised that new systems of support, such as that for agricultural-environmental management support payments, would be set up in a way that is favourable for the preservation and restoration of natural and near-nature habitats, and the creation of new ones.

Work on the preparation of this historically significant agreement that will affect the nature conservation and game management sectors began in the Ministry of Rural Development last September. The agreement was supported by state and non-governmental representatives of both sectors.
During the elaboration of the agreement, all parties agreed that a prerequisite for the realisation of both game management and conservation goals was the mutual cooperation between the two areas. This requires that a decision be brought regarding which species may be hunted and on hunting seasons, that is acceptable to both parties.

The Ministerial departments responsible for conservation and hunting, the Hungarian Ornithological and Conservation Association (Birdlife Hungary, MME), National Hungarian Association for the Protection of Hunting, The National Chamber of Hunting and WWF Hungary all took part in the preparation of the agreement, as well as representatives of universities that are involved in research on the species affected, the Szent István University and the University of West Hungary. The work of the panel of experts was also aided by representatives of the Hungarian Museum of Natural Science and the Hungarian Academy of Sciences. The directors of the organisations listed took part in the signing of the agreement today.

According to the document, the Common Buzzard, the Western Marsh-Harrier, the Northern Goshawk, the Common Raven and the Pine Marten will remain on the list of protected species, and the Least Weasel will also now be protected. Differences of opinion with regard to species remaining on the protected list must be resolved based on scientific methods. Rapid action is required to radically decrease fox populations and to begin intervention designed to preserve natural habitats as soon as possible. An important task will be the investigation of alternative methods to prevent possible damage to the environment, as the main goal is to increase populations of small game, and not to decrease the numbers of endangered predators.

Similarly, the Common Quail, the European Turtle Dove and the Fieldfare will also remain on the protected list, but it will be permitted to hunt overly enlarged populations of Greylag Goose. Another piece of good news for hunters is that regulations on the import of trophies will become significantly simpler.

Over 200 exhibitors from 14 countries including Hungary are taking part in this year's fishing, hunting and arms fair; participants are presenting their products on over 12 thousand square metres of exhibition floor space.

The FeHoVa has been one of HUNGEXPO's most successful fairs for years now, and now attracts serious international interest. Last year, forty thousand visitors were interested in visiting the fair's stands on over 10 thousand square metres at the HUNGEXPO.

Some of the most popular attractions at the show are the various trophy exhibitions. This year, exhibitions of North American wildlife, the Pride of Hungary's counties, a trophy exhibition presenting 100 Hungarian big game trophies, and 30 specimens from the "Deer of the World" collection awaited visitors in Pavilion "A". The CIC International Council for Game and Wildlife Conservation helped experts collect material for the exhibitions, who also received help from the Nimrod Hunting Magazine, and from County Chambers of Hunting and Hunting Associations.

The international competition imitating the troating of a rutting stag, and the falconry and hunting dog displays as well as the shooting and archery practice are also expected to attract great interest.

For the first time last year, visitors were able to view Europe's largest mobile aquarium, and the 22 thousand litre transparent Portuguese tank will be on display again this year.

Among several new elements at this year's FeHoVa fair are sports displays. Visitors can cheer on the competitors of the Eleven Open international archery competition, and an airsoft competition, as well as having the opportunity to watch clay pigeon shooting and laser firearms displays. The Hunters' Stage will be presenting nature films and reports on personal experiences; outdoor competitions also await the crowds of visitors. The Anglers' Stage will include presentation by famous Hungarian professional sportsmen such as Gábor Döme and Tamás Walter, as well as foreign guests such as Andi Veltkamp and Ross Honey.

Also affiliated with this year's exhibition will be a CAC and CACIB certified large, international dog show called I. FeHoVa Winter Dog Show.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)