MEPs from 13 countries and representing the seven largest political groups in the European Parliament are urging Malta to close the spring hunt on migratory birds.

In a letter (see pdf link below) addressed to Prime Minister Joseph Muscat and Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes, the MEPs also petitioned increased efforts to stop illegal hunting and the prohibition of all kinds of bird traps.

Dutch MEP Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals), who has been observing the first two days of this year’s spring hunting season in Malta, will hand over the letter to the Maltese authorities tomorrow.

"This appeal to Malta to close the spring hunt represents a broad political spectrum. The hunting of migratory birds returning to their breeding grounds is cruel and causes a threat to bird populations as a whole.

"Spring hunting on migratory birds is therefore prohibited by international conservation agreements.

"Sadly, while visiting Maltese hunting grounds over the past weekend, I witnessed several breaches of EU conservation laws. Electronic bird callers are widely used on hunting grounds, which is illegal under the EU Birds Directive. On Sunday a protected marsh harrier was shot,” she said.

“As Malta is currently holding the EU Presidency, we count on the Maltese government to take the lead in improving the protection of nature areas in general, and (migratory) birds in particular.

"We call on the Maltese government to set an example by swiftly and properly implementing the Birds and Habitats Directives and to offer migrating birds a safe resting place during their trip to the North,” the MEPs say in their letter