Malta should place a temporary ban on shooting down turtledoves which are facing extinction due to hunting and other pressures, said the EU’s environment commissioner.
In October, turtledoves were put on the Red List of species threatened with extinction held by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The agency blames a 30% decrease in turtledove populations across Europe on hunting, agricultural intensification and disease, and says that more research is needed.
Malta’s two-week killing season ended on 30 April during which time 5,000 of the birds were allowed to be shot.
The Maltese government held a referendum on the issue and says that it has reduced its maximum quota for turtledove kills from 11,000 to 5,000 this year, with the same number for quail.
The country won an appeal against a prohibition on spring hunting at the European Court, after arguing that the autumn season did not constitute a satisfactory alternative.
Karmenu Vella, environment commissioner, said that the commission was already investigating Malta for violations of the EU’s birds directive and would go to court if necessary.
“I have also urged the Maltese government to consider a moratorium on the hunting of turtle doves,” said Vella, who is himself Maltese.
