Agenda Profile: Helle-Moonika Helme
Draft law amending the Hunting Act (567 SE) – First Reading
2025-02-26
15th Riigikogu, 5th session, plenary session
Political Position
The political focus centers on the management of hunting legislation and the population of large carnivores (wolf, bear) to prevent agricultural damage and danger to human settlements. This stance is strongly policy- and results-based, emphasizing the responsibility of politicians to organize national life in such a way that minimal damage occurs across various sectors. Above all, warnings are issued regarding the dangers of overly lenient hunting laws, which could attract predators from neighboring countries.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Topic Expertise
The speaker demonstrates expertise regarding wildlife behavior and population dynamics, emphasizing the cross-border movement of wolves and bears and their survival instincts. Specific concepts, such as the principle of natural selection, are utilized, and the cause-and-effect relationship between the predators' food base (the decrease in the goat population) and attacks is discussed. Species that cause agricultural damage, such as deer, goats, and flocks of migratory birds, are also mentioned.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Rhetorical Style
The rhetorical style is analytical and questioning, seeking factual confirmation and comparative information (e.g., the laws of neighboring countries). The speaker engages in public discussion, refuting the common narrative about "evil hunters" and offering alternative, logical explanations for predator behavior. The tone is formal and focuses on political responsibility.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Activity Patterns
Records indicate significant activity during the first reading of the draft amendment to the Hunting Act, with numerous questions and comments being raised. The speaker is taking part in the debate, posing questions to the rapporteur and interjecting in discussions relevant to the topic.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Opposition Stance
The criticism is directed at the public narrative that blames "evil hunters" for predator attacks, offering instead the bloated predator populations and the depletion of the natural food base (goats) as the alternative explanation. Furthermore, concern is expressed regarding the potential negative consequences of overly lenient hunting laws.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Collaboration Style
The style of cooperation is open and information-seeking, addressing the presenter, Mait Klaassen, directly and referring to his previous positions. The objective is to get confirmation of the facts (e.g., the decrease in the goat population) and to gather comparative information (laws of neighboring countries) for policy formulation.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Regional Focus
The focus is international and cross-border, emphasizing that wolves and bears do not recognize state borders, and their movement depends on the severity of hunting legislation. It is important to compare Estonian hunting law with that of neighboring countries to prevent the inflow of predators and ensure the proper organization of state affairs.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Economic Views
Economic policies are focused on protecting the agricultural sector, stressing the necessity of reducing the damage caused by wildlife (deer, roe deer, migratory birds) and predators. The objective is to establish a national framework that minimizes economic losses across various sectors, including the protection of livestock (sheep).
3 Speeches Analyzed
Social Issues
The social focus is on the safety of human settlements and the protection of domestic animals from predator attacks. Concern is expressed that, due to a lack of natural food sources, wolves are moving close to human settlements, thereby endangering sheep, dogs, and cats.
3 Speeches Analyzed
Legislative Focus
The legislative focus is on the draft Act amending the Hunting Act (Bill 567 SE), the first reading of which the speaker is actively involved in. The priority is ensuring the law is sufficiently strict and effective in managing the large predator population and preventing damage.
3 Speeches Analyzed