Environment minister Henk Bleker has backtracked on plans to allow a type of duck known as the widgeon (Anas penelope) to be hunted, following widespread criticism from environmentalists and bird protection groups.

Half of Europe’s widgeon winter in the Netherlands and the bird is a protected species. The minister’s change of heart comes because the birds only forage on land at night, and the nuisance to farming is limited.
In addition, plans to allow the hunting of other animals will be organised on a regional basis to take local conditions into account, the minister said.
Wassenaar
‘We do not want four-wheel drive vehicles from Wassenaar heading to Drenthe to go shooting all day,’ the minister told television programme Moraalridders.
Instead, local nature management groups will make plans to cull animals and birds in their region, as happens now with wild boar in the Veluwe, the minister said.
In addition, fines for breaking hunting laws are to be increased to a maximum six years in jail and fine of €76,000. In areas where hunting is not allowed, disturbing animals and deliberately disrupting their habitats will also be banned.
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