Hunting of migratory bird species during spring in Malta

18.4.2017

Question for written answer E-002734-17
to the Commission
Rule 130
Anja Hazekamp (GUE/NGL) , Merja Kyllönen (GUE/NGL) , Mark Demesmaeker (ECR) , Peter van Dalen (ECR) , Fabio Massimo Castaldo (EFDD) , Stefan Eck (GUE/NGL) , Martin Häusling (Verts/ALE)

On 25 March 2017, Malta opened its spring hunting season on migratory birds, in particular on quails. According to Article 7(4) of Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds, Member States must ensure that migratory species ‘are not hunted during their period of reproduction or during their return to their rearing grounds’. The directive also prescribes that Member States shall prohibit the use of tape recorders, nets and traps, among other items.

On a recent visit to Maltese hunting grounds, one of the undersigned witnessed several breaches of the directive: electronic bird callers were widely used at the hunting grounds and a marsh harrier (listed in Annex I of the Birds Directive) was shot. Meanwhile, NGOs have for their part reported the widespread use of illegal clap nets[1].

1. In the light of the widespread use of bird callers, the shooting of protected species during their return to their rearing grounds and the use of illegal clap nets, does the Commission consider spring hunting in Malta to be taking place ‘under strictly supervised conditions’ (Article 9(1)(c) of Directive 2009/147/EC)?

2. What action is the Commission currently undertaking to ensure that birds flying over Malta during spring migration are protected? What additional action will follow the structural breaches of Directive 2009/147/EC outlined above?

• [1] http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20170320/local/watch-bird-trapping-frenzy-on-maltese-coastline-activists-say.642999