On a wing and a prayer

Date: 22/02/1996

Euro MPs who voted to end the bird shooting season throughout the EU on 31 January every year have, not surprisingly, upset the hunting fraternity in the process, particularly in the UK and France. But the issue has also thrown up a little-known problem affecting the outdoor set in Luxembourg.

Who would have thought that the problems of being a tiny Euro-nation would extend to the well-to-do crowd who take pot shots at passing birdlife in their spare time?

During the first reading vote in Strasbourg on updating the Bird Protection Directive, the season was effectively shortened by a few weeks on the grounds that it would help conservation and make little difference to the hunters.

But it could make a lot of difference in Luxembourg - one MEP was heard expressing the hope that the change might mean a few more birds get through the flak over France so that the gun-toting citizens of the Grand Duchy get a chance to take a pot shot at them.