Brussels, 10/09/2009 (Agence Europe) - “By authorising the opening of a hunting season for quails (coturnix coturnix) and turtle doves (streptopelia turtur) during the spring migration period in the years 2004 to 2007 (…) the Republic of Malta has failed to fulfil its obligations under the directive on the conservation of wild birds”, according to a ruling (C-76/08) of Thursday 10 September.
Malta should therefore review its legislation in order to comply with this ruling. Each year, between 2004 and 2007, Malta authorised the spring hunting season for quails and turtle doves to open just as these migratory birds arrived at their reproduction sites in Europe on their way back from Africa. The hunting season began before the birds had a chance to begin mating.
“The prolongation of the hunting season for those two migratory species by authorisation of hunting for approximately two months in spring, during which the two hunted species are returning to their rearing grounds, which results in a mortality rate three times higher (around 15,000 birds killed) for quails and eight times higher (around 32,000 birds killed) for turtle doves than for the autumn hunting season, does not constitute an adequate solution that is strictly proportionate to the directive's objective on conservation of the species”, the Court states, saying these species should not be hunted in spring. They may be hunted in autumn or in the winter once the young have been reared, the judges say. (L.C./transl.jl)