• 
• 
• 
• 

Conservationists in Cyprus
accused authorities of allowing the spring
bird-shooting season to go ahead despite a ban by the EU

Birdlife Cyprus, a local branch of Birdlife International,
said Cyprus would permit hunters to shoot magpies and crows from
tomorrow. Conservationists fear that hunters will also take the
opportunity to shoot turtle doves, a popular delicacy.

Birdlife filed a complaint to the European Commission.

"There should be no shooting of any birds during this
sensitive migration period," said Martin Hellicar, Birdlife
Cyprus's executive manager.

"This is a crucial period when birds are migrating ... we
feel this is an excuse to give hunters the spring shooting they
have been clamouring for," he told Reuters.

Hunters would be permitted to shoot magpies and crows over a
six-day period from tomorrow as means of controlling their numbers.

Authorities said there was nothing untoward about the shoot,
denying it was a guise for hunting other bird species.

"The government sets different dates for crow shooting every
year, sometimes late April, sometimes late June ... it is
nothing suspicious," said Pantelis Hadjiyerou, head of the
island's Game Service.

"The hunters, as should always be the case, have to abide by
the law. Any hunter falling out of line and who is caught by the
Game Service will be charged."

An EU directive prohibits the shooting of birds in spring to
ensure reproduction and sustainability in numbers. The European
Commission forced Cyprus to curtail its spring hunting period
last year.

Hunting is a popular pastime on the east Mediterranean
island, which lies on a migratory route for birds.

• 
• 
• 
• 
•