Germans banned from killing ants

Google | 4-29-03

[WKB]

Ananova:

Germany has introduced new laws making it illegal to kill ants and appointed 85 ant protection officers to protect the insects.

Homeowners and gardeners who attempt to destroy an anthill or underground nest will face hefty fines if caught.

They must now apply for a permit from their local forestry office to have the ants carefully moved to local woods.

"People with an ant hill in their garden must under no circumstances resort to the use of poison," said senior ant protection officer Dieter Kraemer.

"This is a violation of federal nature protection laws and punishable with hefty fines."

He added that ants were highly valued by German foresters for eating insects which attack trees.

A high ant population can prevent costly and environmentally unfriendly woodland spraying aimed at pests such as the Nun moth which attacks pines and other conifers.

[ModelBreaker]

This is a joke, right? Please tell me it's a joke.

[bedolido]

strange... just 50 years ago they could kill anything or anyone they wanted.

[mhking]

"Hold muh beer 'n watch this!" PING....

If you want on or off this list, please let me know!

[Guillermo]

As long as they were "sub-human" (ie "non-German").

[WKB]

This is a joke, right? Please tell me it's a joke

frayed knot!!

[Maceman]

I won't believe this until I see it in more mainstream media (Fox News included).

[stars & stripes forever]

People with an ant hill in their garden must under no circumstances resort to the use of poison," said senior ant protection officer Dieter Kraemer. "This is a violation of federal nature protection laws and punishable with hefty fines."

Too bad the German's weren't as adamant about the poison gas that Saddam used in Iraq against his own people.

[spodefly]

Maybe we should sent them some fireants. That would change their minds in a hurry.

[knighthawk]

Over here!

[Conspiracy Guy]

I kill fireants with an ice pick. It takes a while but it keeps me busy.

[Moose4]

C'mon, this is from The Onion, right?

}:-)4

[PrincessB]

This one's better that "do not remove the label on the mattress."

[Sofa King]

At least it's better than what the french are doing. They just surrendered to their new ant overlords.

[Mo1]

Okkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

[Michael81Dus]

Thanks, I cannot confirm that. It´s not reported here - I can imagine that anthills in forests are under protection, yeah, but not in gardens.

[B Knotts]

Birds today; ants tomorrow.

I'm surprised more people here can't figure that out for themselves.

[MissAmericanPie]

They have found it's much more fun torture to control everything from an individuals thoughts to his bowl movements.

[WKB]

C'mon, this is from The Onion, right?

}:-)4

Frayed Knot

[Gritty]

Now the Germans are surrendering to the ants?

They must still be taking lessons from the French!