Flemish government convicted of the extinction of wild hamster
© ANP / Koen Verheijden
The court of first instance in Brussels has condemned the Flemish government because it has failed to adequately protect the wild hamster. Environmental organization Dryade and Bird Protection Flanders report this. The government must now take measures, among other things by providing a required minimum area for suitable habitat and a sufficiently large hamster population.
Source: Belga
Today at 12:59 PM
The wild hamster is a protected species. Under the European Habitats Directive, the animal has been enjoying the strictest protection since 1994, but there are currently only a few dozen dozens of copies in the Limburg district of Widooie, near Tongeren-Borgloon. For the maintenance of the species, 10,000 to 20,000 copies are needed and at least 600 hectares of hamster -friendly habitat, the environmental organizations say.
The environmental associations already went to court in August 2023. Bird Protection Flanders speaks of « a historical victory for nature ». « We hope that this statement is a tipping point for the wild hamster, » says Free van Rompaey of Bird Protection Flanders. « This verdict forces the government to finally take its responsibility, » adds Elias van Marcke van Dryade.
The nature organizations also point out that the measures imposed will not only benefit the hamster, but also biodiversity in general.
« The hamster not only wins in court today, but hopefully also in nature, » says Van Marcke. « This verdict confirms that the government cannot make a protected species disappear with impunity. Now it’s time for action. We look forward to seeing how the Flemish government is going to work with this verdict. »
