Other EU states in trouble over hunting

Maltese hunters are not the only ones who have to start complying with stricter EU rules.

Just a few days ago, the European Commission decided to take legal action against Italy, Spain and Austria for breaking hunting rules as laid down in the Birds Directive.

Italy is being referred to the European Court of Justice over infringements of the Birds Directive in the Liguria region. Regional legislation for Liguria adopted in October authorises the hunting of the starling (Sturnus sturnus) without complying with the specific conditions for a derogation required under the Birds Directive. The Commission is arguing that such a general authorisation leads to too many birds being captured or killed.

In the case of Spain, the Commission has sent a first warning letter, following a December 2004 judgement of the Court of Justice condemning the practice of the hunting of birds in the community of Valencia.

The court had found that by allowing hunting by means of a method known as parany, Spain was in breach of the Birds Directive. The parany is a device used to capture birds which consists of limed twigs in a tree to which the hunted birds are lured with decoys.

Although legislation adopted by the community of Valencia authorising the continued use of parany to hunt was annulled last year, the Commission said that it has reasons to believe that hunting using the method is still tolerated and as such the Spanish authorities have not undertaken adequate measures to comply with the court judgement.

Austria is also being booked for hunting infringements for allowing 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 between November 1 and January 31. According to the Birds Directive these bird species may not be hunted. The Commission considers that Lower Austria has not given justified reasons for permitting the birds to be hunted. Malta is also facing legal procedures over infringements to the Birds Directive. According to the Commission, hunting in spring is not justified under its rules. The government is contesting this decision.