Once again, the European Commission has decided to refer Finland to the Court of Justice of the EU for illegal spring hunting of male eiders in the province of Aland.
This practice continues to be permitted by the Finnish authorities although the European Birds Directive (2009/147/EC) prohibits any hunting of migratory birds during the breeding or spring migration season.
Exceptions to the EU rule are possible provided that certain strict conditions are fulfilled. In the case of eider,...