Brussels, 15/12/2006 (Agence Europe) - On 13 December, the European Commission launched legal action against Spain, Italy and Austria over their rules on hunting which are not in line with the EU's Wild Birds Directive. Currently, these Member States allow the hunting of birds to take place with insufficient controls, thereby failing to sufficiently protect the birds species in question. Spain will receive a first warning letter asking it to follow up on a 2004 ruling by the European Court of Justice condemning the practice of the hunting of birds in the Community of Valencia. The Court found that by allowing hunting by means of a method known as 'parany', Spain infringed the Birds Directive. Italy will be referred to the Court of Justice over infringements of the Birds Directive in the Liguria region. Regional legislation for Liguria adopted in October 2006 authorises the hunting of the starling (Sturnus sturnus) without complying with the specific conditions for a derogation required under the Directive. The Commission argues that such a general authorisation leads to too many birds being captured or killed. The Commission has sent a first warning letter to Austria over legislation in the province of Lower Austria which authorises the hunting of two birds of prey, the goshawk (Accipter gentilis) and the buzzard (Buteo buteo) in the period 1 November - 31 January. These bird species may not be hunted according to the Birds Directive. However, if hunting is considered necessary, then the specific conditions required by the Directive must be met. The Commission considers that Lower Austria has not given justified reasons for permitting the birds to be hunted. (ol)