Commission refers Finland to CJEU over spring hunting of wild birds

Background information:

Under the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC), the killing of wild birds is banned, but some species, such as eiders (Somateria mollissima), may be hunted as long as this does not occur during the breeding or spring migration season, or provided that the conditions for an exception from the hunting ban are fulfilled.

In December 2005, the Court had already ruled in its judgement (C-344/03) that Finland had failed to fulfil its obligations under the Birds Directive due to spring hunting of male eiders, among other species in Åland province.

The condemned practices ceased but were resumed in Åland Province in 2011 which is why the Commission opened the infringement proceedings on this matter in November 2012. In December 2016, the Commission sent a reasoned opinion, urging Finland to stop the spring hunting of eider males in Åland Province. However, the competent authorities in Åland Province decided to open a new spring hunting season for male eiders in April 2017.

The European Commission decided on 8 March 2018 to refer Finland to the Court of Justice of the European Union (CJEU) for illegal spring hunting of male eiders in the province of Åland.