Press Release: Commission takes legal action against illegal bird hunting

Hunting regulation is a crucial aspect of EU nature and biodiversity protection policy. However, a number of Member States failed to ensure correct regulation of hunting practices. To address this problem, the European Commission on 29 June 2006 launched legal action against four Member States. Finland, Italy and Spain were being asked to bring their rules on hunting into line with the EU’s Wild Birds Directive. A first warning letter has also been sent to Malta over the spring hunting of two species of birds.