Malta’s Spring Hunting Season For Quail Kicks Off This Monday
Malta’s government has published the legal notice concerning the commencement of the spring hunting season for the common quail (Summiena) in Malta.
The season will kick off this Monday and will run for a period of twenty days until 30th April. The national quota for hunted quail has been set at 2,400, and each catch has to be reported immediately.
However, in view of the pending decision on the warrant for a prohibitory injunction filed by BirdLife Malta to stop the publication of the legal notice allowing the hunting of the vulnerable European turtle dove, the season for the turtle dove has not yet been announced.
“The court has provisionally upheld BirdLife Malta’s request and appointed the hearing for the 18th of April,” BirdLife Malta said, reacting to the opening of the season for quail.
“Since then, the government has asked for the hearing to be brought forward to an earlier date since it cannot issue the legal notice authorising the Turtle-dove spring hunt until the hearing.”
“Hunting Minister Clint Camilleri has already declared that the government’s intention is to open the season for turtle dove from the 17th of April.”
“However, as things stand, hunting for turtle dove remains illegal and anyone that witnesses illegal hunting on this protected species should immediately report to EPU (Environmental Protection Unit) police and BirdLife Malta.”
“This derogation is subject to fresh infringement proceedings initiated by the European Commission against Malta in February. This is only one of several legal actions initiated by the EC in regard to Malta’s failure to control the illegal killing of protected birds.”
Image credit: Flight for Survival
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