Work
20.December 2007 - 00:00
Bird hunting in Malta (pt 2)
At the end of 2006 I tabled a Written Question to the Commission (E 5472/06) on bird hunting and serious shortcomings in the implementation of the Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC(1) in Malta. In his answer, Commissioner Stavros Dimas stated on behalf of the Commission that ‘the Commission will use all the legal steps available to ensure that Malta complies with its obligations under the Birds Directive’.
Malta is continuing to contravene the Birds Directive, and it has not been possible to take any action against it. I therefore repeat my Question:
(a) The Maltese Government has opened the hunting season in spring in violation of the Birds Directive since it joined the EU in 2004, and is likely to open it again in spring 2008 despite the ongoing infringement process.
(b) Illegal hunting, which is particularly harmful in spring, occurs regularly, as the law enforcement authorities do not have the necessary resources to monitor the large number of hunters.
(c) The fines are not dissuasive enough.
One of the most important bird migration routes between Europe and Africa passes through Malta. Malta’s lack of discipline has also set an example to others: the Cyprus government opened the spring bird hunting season in May 2007 for the first time in 14 years.
Does the Commission see that this is an important and urgent matter, and that it is a problem affecting the whole of Europe? What stage have the infringement proceedings against Malta reached? How can Malta be prevented from opening the spring hunting season again in 2008, if it does not meet the requirements of the Birds Directive for a derogation to this effect?
Joint answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
The issue of illegal spring shooting of Turtle Dove and Quail to which the Honourable Members refer is subject to an ongoing infringement procedure relating to non-compliance by Malta with the hunting provisions of Council Directive 79/409/EEC(1) on the conservation of wild birds. The non-compliance in question concerns an annual spring hunting season of 40 days. The problem addressed is one which presents itself on an annual basis during the months of March, April and May.
At the meeting to discuss infringements on 17 October 2007, the Commission decided to send Malta a reasoned opinion under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.
It is open to the Commission to take decisions to go forward with an infringement procedure at different times of the year. In this case, the problem addressed is not a continuous one but a recurring one relating to the spring months of the year. Depending on the circumstances, the Commission has opportunities to make further decisions in the case in advance of the next spring hunting season and will not hesitate to use all means available to it under the Treaty to seek compliance.
The Commission is taking — and will continue to take — all appropriate measures in order to ensure that Malta, as well as all the other Member States, complies with the Birds Directive. If Malta does not comply with the Birds Directive, the Commission will not hesitate to continue the infringement procedure.
At the end of 2006 I tabled a Written Question to the Commission (E 5472/06) on bird hunting and serious shortcomings in the implementation of the Wild Birds Directive 79/409/EEC(1) in Malta. In his answer, Commissioner Stavros Dimas stated on behalf of the Commission that ‘the Commission will use all the legal steps available to ensure that Malta complies with its obligations under the Birds Directive’.
Malta is continuing to contravene the Birds Directive, and it has not been possible to take any action against it. I therefore repeat my Question:
(a) The Maltese Government has opened the hunting season in spring in violation of the Birds Directive since it joined the EU in 2004, and is likely to open it again in spring 2008 despite the ongoing infringement process.
(b) Illegal hunting, which is particularly harmful in spring, occurs regularly, as the law enforcement authorities do not have the necessary resources to monitor the large number of hunters.
(c) The fines are not dissuasive enough.
One of the most important bird migration routes between Europe and Africa passes through Malta. Malta’s lack of discipline has also set an example to others: the Cyprus government opened the spring bird hunting season in May 2007 for the first time in 14 years.
Does the Commission see that this is an important and urgent matter, and that it is a problem affecting the whole of Europe? What stage have the infringement proceedings against Malta reached? How can Malta be prevented from opening the spring hunting season again in 2008, if it does not meet the requirements of the Birds Directive for a derogation to this effect?
Joint answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
The issue of illegal spring shooting of Turtle Dove and Quail to which the Honourable Members refer is subject to an ongoing infringement procedure relating to non-compliance by Malta with the hunting provisions of Council Directive 79/409/EEC(1) on the conservation of wild birds. The non-compliance in question concerns an annual spring hunting season of 40 days. The problem addressed is one which presents itself on an annual basis during the months of March, April and May.
At the meeting to discuss infringements on 17 October 2007, the Commission decided to send Malta a reasoned opinion under Article 226 of the EC Treaty.
It is open to the Commission to take decisions to go forward with an infringement procedure at different times of the year. In this case, the problem addressed is not a continuous one but a recurring one relating to the spring months of the year. Depending on the circumstances, the Commission has opportunities to make further decisions in the case in advance of the next spring hunting season and will not hesitate to use all means available to it under the Treaty to seek compliance.
The Commission is taking — and will continue to take — all appropriate measures in order to ensure that Malta, as well as all the other Member States, complies with the Birds Directive. If Malta does not comply with the Birds Directive, the Commission will not hesitate to continue the infringement procedure.