Belarus President wants hunting regulations observed

MINSK, 22 January (BelTA) – Strict order must be secured and hunting regulations must be observed. President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko made the statement at the working meeting with Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Minister Mr Vladimir Tsalko on 22 January, the press service of the Belarusian leader told BelTA.

“You know my attitude to the environment, the nature. I had to even mention it in the brief New Year address to the Belarusian nation. It is a lasting value granted to us from above,” remarked the President. “But I’ve been recently concerned about some bad trends in this regard starting with our hunters. High-ranking officials come to mind, who get exposed as involved in not perfectly legal hunting, mildly speaking, as they pay directly to game keepers and things like that, forgetting that we have strict procedures in place. It is not a complaint about you alone, it is primarily a complaint about the [State] Inspectorate [for the Wildlife Protection under the President of Belarus]”.

“I want everyone to know that we have the situation under control. One is free to go hunting, we have many animals these days, some people complain there are too many of them. But the procedure must be observed,” said the head of state.

Alexander Lukashenko also said he was concerned about the emergence of many hunting farms, which operation raises questions. “A great deal of hunting farms has emerged, including private ones, as well as hunting grounds owned by agricultural enterprises and other enterprises. There are many more problems there than in traditional hunting farms and grounds,” remarked the President.

As far as hunting and fishing regulations are concerned, an independent draft presidential decree has been prepared. It is being reviewed by the Belarus President Administration. The draft decree reflects the instructions given by the head of state earlier.