Parliamentarians pressure Malta to act to end spring bird hunting

9.32.15am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 16th May 2007

Lib Dem Euro MP for the South West and Gibraltar Graham Watson has claimed that pressure from MEPs and the EU has forced the Maltese government into a U-turn on its decision to permit a traditional spring bird hunt.

For those who had taken up the case, last week's decision to halt the bird hunting season in Malta two weeks early was an abrupt change in position for the island's government and a sign that continued pressure had paid off.

Graham Watson has been approached by a number of concerned constituents on this matter and has consistently raised these concerns with the European Commission and the Maltese Government. Speaking from Brussels, Mr Watson said:

"I hope that Malta's early end to the spring hunt is recognition of its new obligations under EU law. For too long MEPs and the European Commission have voiced concern about this issue and it seems the threat of legal action by the EU might have finally forced the Maltese government to act. Malta's location is extremely important for migrating birds and this ban is crucial to allow birds to migrate and breed successfully."

Until last week Malta was the only EU country which allowed a spring hunt. The European Commission has argued that the spring hunt violates the EU Birds Directive because the two species that hunters are given permission to shoot - turtle doves and quails - could easily be hunted in autumn after they have bred.