The spring hunting season will not close early, despite reports of widespread illegalities, Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes said.

He said the Government was not under any pressure from the European Commission to close the season early.

The season will close on April 30, or earlier if the national quota of 11,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quails is reached.

“The assertion of widespread illegalities could not be corroborated so far,” Mr Galdes said.

He said the Derogation Monitoring Board, which includes representatives from Birdlife and the hunting federation, was meeting regularly and logging irregularities and illegalities.

“Serious cases reported to date have been dealt with firmly and culprits prosecuted,” he added.

Full story in The Times.

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