Answer to a written question – Clarification on the prohibition of burrow hunting with dogs under the Habitats Directive – E-001570/2025(ASW)

The provisions under Article 15 and Annex VI of the Habitats Directive[1] establish certain restrictions for the means of capture and killing of species protected by the directive.

The Commission does not have evidence that burrow hunting with dogs is used to hunt species protected by the Habitats Directive nor is it currently aware of any negative impact of this practice on the conservation status of the populations of the species listed in Annex IV and V of the directive.

• [1] Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora, OJ L 206, 22.7.1992, p. 7-50.