---
title: "Hunters and activists clash over Moldova's wildlife reforms "
url: https://radiomoldova.md/p/85437/hunters-and-activists-clash-over-moldova-s-wildlife-reforms
published: 2026-09-20T07:00:00Z
language: en
author: "Liubomir Guțu"
section: "Social"
source: radiomoldova.md
---

# Hunters and activists clash over Moldova's wildlife reforms 

> Moldovan lawmakers and environmentalists clashed on Wednesday over proposed amendments to the national hunting law, exposing deep rifts between commercial game lobby groups and conservationists seeking stricter protections for endangered wildlife.

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/8d4272b3-4592-4c9d-91c6-6aaaa5198719.jpg)

Moldovan lawmakers and environmentalists clashed on Wednesday over proposed amendments to the national hunting law, exposing deep rifts between commercial game lobby groups and conservationists seeking stricter protections for endangered wildlife.

The parliamentary consultation, organized on September 18 by the Committee on the Environment, Climate and Transition, addressed comprehensive revisions to Law No. 55 on Hunting and Game Fund Protection.

**Digital permits and hunting tourism push**

Representatives of hunters called for the full digitalization of hunting permits, an extended shooting season, and streamlined rules to attract wealthy foreign visitors. Valeriu Guma, representing the Hunters' Association, urged authorities to launch an electronic permit platform paired with GPS tracking.

*“Digitalization would significantly improve territorial management. Currently, permits are issued on Friday evenings, forcing hunters to chase down the game manager, plead with them, or wait endlessly,”* said Valeriu Guma.

Sergiu Portneacov, head of the Forestry and Game Fund Section at the Ministry of the Environment, acknowledged the merit of the digital system while noting financial constraints. *“It is a very good initiative, but the funds to build this platform do not appear out of nowhere,”* Portneacov said.

The hunting lobby also pushed for simplified weapons rental regulations for foreign tourists, citing Hungary’s multi-million-euro industry. In response, the Ministry noted that current legislation allows foreign hunters to enter the country with their own legally registered arms, provided their hunting licenses are recognized by Moldovan authorities.

**Conservationists demand mandatory biology exams**

Civil society groups and ornithologists countered with demands for rigorous screening, citing recurrent incidents where protected birds were killed unlawfully. Silvia Ursul, vice-president of the Society for the Protection of Birds and Nature (SPPN), called for mandatory, publicly scrutinized examinations in zoology.

*“Every two to three years, species included in Moldova’s Red Book are shot during legal hunts. In October 2023, a rare falcon was killed in Cimișlia because the hunter allegedly mistook it for a pigeon,”* Ursul said. *“When a biologist makes a mistake, only their reputation suffers. When a hunter makes a mistake, the bird ceases to exist.”*

Karl Luganov, representing the animal welfare organisation Humane Society, called for a complete ban on hunting during weekends and urged parliamentarians to raise criminal penalties for poaching to seven years, aligning Moldovan legislation with neighbouring Romania.

*“Wild animals must not be viewed merely as storehouse commodities or trophies, but as sentient beings that experience pain,”* Luganov said, noting that lenient penalties currently allow offenders to escape imprisonment with simple fines.

The legislative draft, sponsored by Action and Solidarity Party (PAS) lawmaker Veronica Briceag, passed its first reading on July 28. Alongside introducing a digital hunting license valid for five years and priced at €34 (approx. 660 MDL), the bill extends population control measures for foxes, jackals, and wild boars, and widens the administrative window for game fund auctions to 12 months.

Translation by **Iurie Tataru**

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/59c416f8-a904-45d9-b85e-74252b8322eb.jpg)

![](https://storage.radiomoldova.md/images/90e92ca8-bfc7-482d-8269-cc7711dc6bc6.jpg)

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