Press Release: Environment: European Commission requests Malta to comply with Court ruling on bird hunting

The European Commission is asking Malta to comply with a ruling by the European Court of Justice in the area of hunting birds. In 2009, the Court found that Malta, by permitting the spring hunting of turtle doves and quails in 2004-2007, had failed to implement the Birds Directive properly. The Commission is concerned that new framework legislation seeking to permit spring hunting in future years does not comply with the Court ruling. It has therefore decided, at the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potočnik, to issue a Letter of Formal Notice under ongoing infringement proceedings. If the necessary actions are not taken by the Maltese authorities, the Commission may decide to take Malta back to Court to request financial penalties.

• Primary Source

Deutsche Welle, 23.09.13: Fatal skies for birds in Malta http://dw.de/p/19mWE

Website: BirdLife Malta http://www.birdlifemalta.org/

BBC News, 24.04.13: In pictures: The migrant birds illegally shot in Malta http://www.bbc.co.uk/nature/22251513

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