The European Parliament has officially re-established the “Biodiversity, Hunting, Countryside” Intergroup with the support of over 100 MEPs from the major political groups. This move highlights the growing recognition of rural communities’ essential role in discussing policies that shape the countryside.

The re-establishment of this Intergroup comes at a time when rural stakeholders, including landowners, farmers, foresters, and hunters, are seeking stronger representation in EU policy discussions. The Intergroup will continue to serve as a platform for dialogue between policymakers, experts, and countryside representatives, ensuring that rural perspectives are central to legislative debates in Brussels.

MEP Juan Ignacio Zoido, a key advocate for the Intergroup’s re-establishment, said: “Rural areas are the backbone of Europe’s identity and prosperity. This Intergroup is vital for promoting discussions on various issues affecting Europe’s countryside. It will provide a platform to debate policies that enable rural communities to manage their lands effectively, support local economies, advance conservation, and promote sustainable hunting.”

Laurens Hoedemaker, President of FACE, stated: “Rural actors, including hunters, are at the forefront of managing Europe’s countryside. Their practical knowledge and long-standing experience are invaluable in implementing policies that deliver on the ground. The Intergroup, one of the oldest and most active in the European Parliament, will ensure that these perspectives continue to be represented in Europe’s rural policy developments.”

Jurgen Tack, Secretary General of ELO, stressed: “Since 1985, the Intergroup has served as a unique platform in the European Parliament, actively supporting rural initiatives. It facilitates dialogue among MEPs, rural managers, civil society, and experts on key issues such as agriculture, forestry, and environmental sustainability. In the face of the climate crisis, it is essential to adopt a holistic approach to land management, ensuring that every decision affecting rural communities is made through consultation and co-creation. Rural communities must be recognized as partners, not merely subjects, in the policy-making process. We must move beyond polarization, focusing on facts and data to identify concrete solutions to environmental and climate challenge.”

Since its inception in 1985, the Intergroup has worked to address the opportunities and challenges faced by Europe’s countryside, from land use and game management to improving rural economies. Its renewal reflects the European Parliament’s interest in a prosperous and living countryside.

The Intergroup’s Secretariat has been managed by the European Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FACE) and the European Landowners’ Organization (ELO), which contributes their expertise on countryside-related policy issues. Together, these organisations will keep supporting the Intergroup’s work in promoting rural communities, encouraging sustainable land use, and preserving Europe’s rich rural culture.

More information about the Intergroup can be found at www.biodiversityhuntingcountryside.eu