EU issues final warning to Malta for spring hunting

BirdLife International welcomes the decision by the European Commission to send Malta a final written warning  (‘Reasoned Opinion’), regarding the practice of spring hunting of wild birds, which is illegal under EU law. Every spring since its accession to the EU in 2004, Malta has permitted hunting of Turtle Dove and Common Quail, in direct contravention of the EU Birds Directive.

Based on a complaint by BirdLife, the Commission started legal action against Malta in 2006 but progress was slow. Earlier this year, the European Parliament had called on the Commission “to redouble its efforts to persuade the Maltese authorities to comply fully with Community law”.

BirdLife International and BirdLife Malta have continuously campaigned against spring hunting in Malta. The Maltese Islands are located on an important bird migration route in the Mediterranean. The EU Birds Directive specifically protects birds by banning hunting during their spring migration back from Africa to their breeding grounds throughout the European Union. A recent study analysing the ring recoveries in Malta, showed that birds originating from a minimum of thirty-six European countries fly over Malta each year.

“The Commission needs to be tough on this case, therefore we also welcome Commissioner Dimas’ statement in his blog earlier this week saying Malta will be taken to the Court if spring hunting isn’t stopped." —Konstantin Kreiser, EU Policy Manager at BirdLife European Division