Massacre of turtle doves and quails brings threat of crackdown on Malta
Posted, September 27, 2007 @ 00:00
Malta is faced with the wrath of the European Commission today after senior Conservative MEP, Caroline Jackson, demanded that Brussels takes the Mediterranean island to court to stop the illegal spring hunting and trapping of wild birds such as turtle doves and quail.
Since its accession to the European Union, Malta has continually violated rules under the EU Birds Directive and allowed the illegal hunting of wild birds every spring from 2004, until present.
After sending her letter to the Commission, Dr Jackson said:
"Malta has been under the spotlight on this issue for many years now and it is high time that the Maltese authorities were held responsible for the continued illegal hunting of wild birds, such as Turtle Dove and Quail. While the Commission did issue a letter of formal notice earlier this year, I am now asking that the Commission issue a Reasoned Opinion, which is the next legal step to be taken when a Member State has failed to comply with EU law. This must be done in order to send a clear message to the Maltese authorities that the Commission will not allow Malta to continually flout EU environment legislation."
Speaking on behalf of the RSPB, with whom Dr Jackson has been closely working, Sacha Cleminson, EU Advocacy Manager said:
"Malta is an oasis for birds migrating into Europe as they come home to breed. Hunting in spring is unnecessary, wasteful and largely against the law as wild birds need to be given a fair chance to reproduce. The RSPB is delighted that Dr Jackson is taking steps to help enforce the rules and keep our birds migrating."
Dr Jackson also commented on how this case has wider implications for the state of environment protection throughout Europe:
"The Commission is very active in producing new laws to protect the environment. However, I am now asking the Commission to make sure that all Member States, not just some, adhere to that environment legislation. There is no point in producing new laws if all Member States cannot fully implement those laws that have been agreed in the past. It also seems illogical to pass new environmental protection legislation when the Commission fails to protect those animals, such as the Quail in Malta, which rely upon a healthy environment."