The legislation, promoted by the Madrid regional government, establishes for the first time a general minimum size of 250 hectares for hunting grounds, with an exception of 50 hectares for small game if technically justified. Regarding fishing, water regulations are simplified into three categories, with special attention to species like trout, carp, and pike.
Key innovations include Population Control Plans, a tool for municipalities to manage overabundant species such as wild boar and rabbits outside regular hunting seasons, thereby preventing agricultural damage. The law also increases the minimum safety distance from populated areas from 100 to 150 meters.
Sector modernization is encouraged through the implementation of digital licenses and electronic administrative procedures. The sanctioning system is updated, with fines ranging from 200 to 1,000 euros for minor infractions, 1,000 to 10,000 for serious ones, and 10,000 to 80,000 euros for very serious offenses.
“"We are facing a current, sensible, and very necessary law in our region. We have not drafted this law locked away in an office with our backs to the hunting and fishing sectors; quite the opposite, we have listened to many associations, foundations, sports clubs, and different administrations"
PP deputy Juan Carlos Carretero hailed the law as a "true legal guarantee" for hunting activities, emphasizing the consensus reached after consulting numerous associations and receiving 600 proposals. Meanwhile, Íñigo Henríquez de Luna (Vox) acknowledged the consensus but advocated for a "less interventionist and paternalistic" regulation, criticizing the added bureaucracy.
From the socialist benches, José Luis García expressed regret that only four of their amendments were accepted, criticizing the "sloppy" combination of hunting and fishing, and arguing that fishing has been "relegated to a secondary role" in favor of "commercial hunting interests." Alejandro Sánchez (Más Madrid) described the day as "a sad day for the environment," asserting that the law conflates "outdated hunting ideology" with population control measures to justify hunting "under any circumstances."
