The Bernese Grand Council does not want any regulation: hunting under the influence of alcohol remains permitted

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The Bernese Grand Council does not want to explicitly ban hunting under the influence of alcohol. A centre-right majority decided that a corresponding change in the law was not necessary and rejected a motion by Casimir von Arx (GLP) by 74 votes to 64.

Most hunters are responsible, but not all, Von Arx said. Alcohol reduces accuracy. This endangers animal welfare. Bern should follow the example of the cantons of Zurich and Neuchâtel: the same rules apply to alcohol consumption during hunting as in road traffic. Anyone violating this should be excluded from the hunt.

So it is not about 0.0 per mille, according to Nicola von Gruyerz (SP). You can still drink one or two glasses. Animal welfare justifies an arrangement, says Christa Ammann (AL) on behalf of the Green faction. As a mushroom hunter, she would feel safer knowing there were no hunters walking around who had already had two or three beers, Melanie Gasser (GLP) added.

Hanspeter Steiner (EPP) reported that he had once witnessed a drunken hunter shoot a deer and not even notice the suffering animal itself. On a sober level, it would be a good idea to agree to the proposal.

Civil majority against amendment of the law

The government and the majority of the Grand Council did not want to hear about any changes to the law. Hunters usually travel in cars and must therefore adhere to the rules of the Road Traffic Act regarding alcohol, narcotics and medicines.

In addition, hunters would have to meet strict requirements to obtain a hunting permit, according to Anne-Caroline Graber (SVP). Compliance with regulations could only be monitored at disproportionately high costs. Dozens of extra officers would have to travel through impassable terrain on weekends to deal with hunters with behavioral problems.

An alcohol ban could also be useful elsewhere, for example on the ski slopes or at the Aare-Gummiböötlen, says Sibylle Plüss-Zürcher (FDP). But the FDP relies on personal responsibility.

“Our hunters are serious,” emphasizes André Roggli (middle). Hunting accidents under the influence of alcohol are already punished nowadays, but he has hardly read about such an accident in the canton of Bern. Ernst Tanner (EDU) also saw no need for further legislation.

Samuel Krähenbühl (SVP) described the initiative as a candidate for the rusty paragraph of the year. He also wondered whether a blood alcohol limit might have to be introduced during the session of the Bernese Grand Council. “Maybe then we could make better decisions.” (SDA)

Source:Blick