D uring the Surroundings Committee assembly of the Flemish Parliament on September 19, Minister Demir said clearly: “We’re taking a unique tack. We’re not abandoning biodiversity and species safety, however the earlier method had inadequate impact.”
Threatened with extinction
The wild hamster is threatened with extinction in Flanders. Most of them stay in Widooie, a small village close to Tongeren. When she was nonetheless Flemish Minister of Agriculture and Nature, Joke Schauvliege determined in 2017 to nominate a hamster coordinator. She additionally allotted 800,000 euros for a selected species safety program for the wild hamster. That program will quickly expire and was much less properly evaluated. There are inadequate outcomes, regardless of the federal government sources invested in it.
Faucet from a unique perspective
In response to Minister Demir, a unique method should be taken. That is why she would not wish to begin one other separate program. She has instructed her administration to incorporate vital measures in an overarching method for biodiversity in fields, with most give attention to implementation. The enter obtained this summer time throughout a ultimate session spherical with all stakeholders concerned will likely be taken into consideration. The intention is to implement a biodiversity coverage that is sensible for all threatened species in rural areas, away from the give attention to one species.
The minister declares that no particular hamster coordinator or hamster coach will likely be appointed for the brand new method. Current experience is being referred to as upon on the Institute for Nature and Forest Analysis (INBO) and the Company for Nature and Forests (ANB).
Flemish authorities summoned
Within the Surroundings Committee, Member of Parliament Ludwig Vandenhove (Vooruit) had identified the request for a summons from the Flemish authorities by 2 nature organizations previous to the excellent plan that Demir was speaking about. In addition they consider that the following species safety program (SBP) must be interpreted otherwise. The habitat of the wild hamster is now too small and an excessive amount of is being harvested in too brief a time and at too early a time. Consequently, the shelter disappears.
A potential answer could possibly be for the Flemish authorities to take full management of the administration of the hamster space. The land may then be managed by farmers for a price. This might additionally create alternatives for different endangered crop species.
Appropriate habitat
The brand new measures that Minister Demir has in thoughts ought to be certain that a minimal space of appropriate habitat is assured for the species within the present Widooie hamster space in the long run. The inhabitants can develop on these plots after which unfold right into a community of extra versatile plots, strips or edges within the space. Common crops will also be made extra appropriate for the species by means of plenty of changes and might subsequently be a part of this versatile community.
Demir says that she needs to comprehend this versatile construction by means of the usage of the devices of the frequent agricultural coverage (CAP), particularly administration agreements and eco-schemes. She needs to make use of the best devices for the minimal space of appropriate habitat. This may be by means of self-realization by non-public homeowners and farmers or by means of land acquisition by the Flemish authorities.
Subject fauna
Demir instructed her administrations to optimally optimize the devices to satisfy the wants of the sector fauna. Because of the precarious state of affairs wherein the species finds itself, concrete and focused measures are wanted wherein the federal government will take its duty. In response to her, acquired land can completely stay in agricultural use, however it should be appropriate for the endangered species.
To make sure that every little thing runs easily, Demir will appoint an agricultural knowledgeable to help collaborating farmers of their administration and to work with them to realize a win-win state of affairs for agriculture and arable nature.
Fons Jacobs
