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Swiss politician files complaint against farmer after death threats

Vassilis Venizelos files a complaint against a breeder after receiving death threats
Vassilis Venizelos files a complaint against a breeder after receiving death threats Keystone-SDA

The increasing number of wolf attacks, particularly in the Jura mountains, continues to exacerbate tensions in the canton of Vaud. State Councillor Vassilis Venizelos has lodged a complaint against a farmer following death threats.

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“The teams in the field are being subjected to pressure and threats,” said the head of the Vaud Department of the Environment, interviewed on Sunday on Swiss public radio RTS. They “come from all sides. The latest came from a farmer who threatened to kill me. A red line has clearly been crossed. A complaint has been lodged”, he continued.

“The aim is to ensure that such events don’t happen again, and to protect my teams too. Of course I can understand this anger, I can understand that some farmers are waiting for more determined action from the state. But certain limits must not be crossed,” continued the Minister.

This announcement comes at a time when many shepherds and farmers are calling for more shots to be fired at the pack in the canton of Vaud. In July alone, a wolf killed at least 18 livestock animals (young cattle, calves, sheep), according to the canton’s latest count.

“The current situation is unacceptable in view of the increasing number of attacks. While politicians dither, wolves continue their carnage, and farmers are paying a high price,” denounced the French-speaking association for the regulation of large predators last week.

Translated from German by DeepL/jdp

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