Why is the act of eating the ortolan now severely restricted across the European Union?
Answer
Because the ortolan was listed as a protected species due to population decline
The contemporary status of the ortolan ritual is defined by strict legal constraints imposed by conservation efforts. Specifically, the European Union has officially listed the ortolan bunting as a protected species. This legal designation directly resulted from observations indicating a significant decline in the bird's population numbers across its range. Consequently, the traditional methods of acquisition—trapping the birds via nets during migration—and subsequent consumption are now outlawed throughout the EU, including France, making any current observance a violation of established wildlife protection legislation.
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