Work
14.February 2007 - 00:00
Bird Hunting in Malta
Each year thousands of migrating birds are shot illegally in Malta, including such species as marsh harrier, honey buzzard, black-winged stilts and the threatened purple heron. Besides this, an estimated 100000 turtle doves and other species with declining populations in Europe are shot in total conformity with Malta's national laws, mostly as they pass through the island on their spring migration to northern Europe from Africa.
Despite the growing media attention and public complaints, there still remain a number of problems in Malta regarding the implementation of the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC(1), most notably:
(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 intends to open it again in spring 2007 despite the ongoing infringement process.
(b) Illegal hunting occurs regularly, as the law enforcement unit does not have the necessary resources to keep up with the numbers of the hunters.
(c) The fines are not dissuasive enough.
(d) During membership negotiations, the Maltese Government committed to stop trapping by the end of 2008. To date, the government has taken no real steps to phase out trapping in Malta.
What action does the Commission plan to take against the Maltese Government if it allows hunting in spring 2007, despite the legal infringement proceedings opened against Malta for allowing spring hunting without fulfilling the requirements of the Birds Directive for such a derogation?
Joint answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
The Commission has received information, which indicates that problems regarding the enforcement of illegal hunting are continuing, with reports that legislation adopted in March 2006 intended to fully implement the Birds Directive(1), is not being adequately enforced.
On the basis of these reports, a new complaint has been opened with the objective of raising this issue with the Maltese authorities.
The first Maltese Government report on the transition measures related to bird trapping was received by the Commission on 29 March 2006.
This report shows that, while there has been some initial delay in implementing elements of the transition programme, in the last year the Maltese authorities have put in place some significant elements of the programme.
The Commission considers that, albeit with some delay, this report represents real progress with the programme and demonstrates the commitment of the Maltese authorities to respect their engagement.
The Commission is now awaiting the second Maltese Government report on the update of transition measures related to bird trapping for the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006.
The Commission will use all the legal steps available to ensure that Malta complies with its obligations under the Birds Directive.
Each year thousands of migrating birds are shot illegally in Malta, including such species as marsh harrier, honey buzzard, black-winged stilts and the threatened purple heron. Besides this, an estimated 100000 turtle doves and other species with declining populations in Europe are shot in total conformity with Malta's national laws, mostly as they pass through the island on their spring migration to northern Europe from Africa.
Despite the growing media attention and public complaints, there still remain a number of problems in Malta regarding the implementation of the Birds Directive 79/409/EEC(1), most notably:
(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 intends to open it again in spring 2007 despite the ongoing infringement process.
(b) Illegal hunting occurs regularly, as the law enforcement unit does not have the necessary resources to keep up with the numbers of the hunters.
(c) The fines are not dissuasive enough.
(d) During membership negotiations, the Maltese Government committed to stop trapping by the end of 2008. To date, the government has taken no real steps to phase out trapping in Malta.
What action does the Commission plan to take against the Maltese Government if it allows hunting in spring 2007, despite the legal infringement proceedings opened against Malta for allowing spring hunting without fulfilling the requirements of the Birds Directive for such a derogation?
Joint answer given by Mr Dimas on behalf of the Commission
The Commission has received information, which indicates that problems regarding the enforcement of illegal hunting are continuing, with reports that legislation adopted in March 2006 intended to fully implement the Birds Directive(1), is not being adequately enforced.
On the basis of these reports, a new complaint has been opened with the objective of raising this issue with the Maltese authorities.
The first Maltese Government report on the transition measures related to bird trapping was received by the Commission on 29 March 2006.
This report shows that, while there has been some initial delay in implementing elements of the transition programme, in the last year the Maltese authorities have put in place some significant elements of the programme.
The Commission considers that, albeit with some delay, this report represents real progress with the programme and demonstrates the commitment of the Maltese authorities to respect their engagement.
The Commission is now awaiting the second Maltese Government report on the update of transition measures related to bird trapping for the period from 1 January 2006 to 31 December 2006.
The Commission will use all the legal steps available to ensure that Malta complies with its obligations under the Birds Directive.