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Parliamentary question - P-002288/2016Parliamentary question
P-002288/2016

Commission action needed in response to Malta reopening the spring hunting season

Question for written answer P-002288-16
to the Commission
Rule 130
Mark Demesmaeker (ECR) , Julie Girling (ECR) , Vicky Ford (ECR)

The Malta Ornis Committee recently voted in favour of opening another spring hunting season in Malta, targeting turtle doves and quails. Meanwhile, the Maltese Government has gone ahead with declaring the 2016 spring hunting season open as of 17 April.

We consider this completely unacceptable, especially given that the turtle dove has very recently been red-listed and declared vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. We therefore believe that opening another hunting season for this species is not compatible with European Court of Justice rulings, in particular in respect of Case C-76/08.

1. The Commissioner for Environment, Karmenu Vella, has stated that the Commission will continue to uphold the Birds Directive. Does the Commission still stand by this commitment?

2. Will the Commission refrain from closing any deals with Malta on this issue?

3. If Malta applies a derogation to the Birds Directive, will the Commission then reopen the court case and take the necessary interim measures?