EU lawmakers urge Malta to close bird hunting

A group of EU Members of Parliament (MEPs) expressed their concern regarding bird hunting in Malta, urging the Maltese government to close the spring hunt on migratory birds.

In a letter addressed to Maltese Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, the 29 EU MEPs also demanded the Maltese government to increase its efforts to curb illegal hunting as well as to prohibit all kinds of bird traps.

The letter raises concern as to the fact that, according to some nature conservation organizations, more than 100,000 birds are killed in Malta every year.

The letter, drafted on March 22, will be handed to Maltese authorities on Monday by Dutch MEP Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals).

Whilst visiting Maltese hunting grounds over the past weekend, she witnessed first-hand several breaches of EU conservation laws, such as the use of electronic bird callers, which is illegal under the EU Birds Directive.

"As Malta is currently holding the EU Presidency, we count on the Maltese government to take the lead in this matter," said the MEPs in their letter.

"We call on the Maltese government to set an example by swiftly and properly implementing the Birds and Habitats Directives and to offer migrating birds a safe resting place during their trip to the North," they added.