Strasbourg, 19/03/2007 (Agence Europe) - The European Parliament is on the warpath against the hunting and trapping of birds on migration as practised in Malta in the spring. It calls on the Maltese government to comply with Community legislation on nature conservation.
In a resolution adopted in Strasbourg on 15 March, MEPs echo several petitions, duly examined by the Parliament's petitions committee, as well as the report by the mission of inquiry that investigated the facts denounced.
The Parliament states it shares the concerns expressed on the subject of authorised spring hunting of migratory birds that come down to rest, the illegal hunting and the trapping of protected species, including in areas protected under EU law, and illegal practices that Maltese hunters say are justified in the name of cultural tradition.
The Parliament condemns all forms of illegal hunting throughout member states and calls on the Maltese government and the Commission to publish, in full, their technical aide-mémoires on the matter.
The Parliament also welcomes the Commission's decision to examine compliance of Maltese legislation with the Wild Birds Directive (infringement proceedings have been initiated) and calls on the Commission to step up its efforts to persuade the Maltese authorities to come fully into line with EU law. It welcomes the Maltese government's decision to punish non-compliance with the legislation by increasing fines up to €14,000, prison sentences up to two years, and permanent withdrawal of the hunting permit for repeat offenders. The Parliament also welcomes the decision taken by the Maltese government to ban the trapping of finches as well as the hunting of birds at sea during spring. (an)