Reacting to the possibility of European Commission commencing legal proceedings against Malta over the spring hunting of turtledoves and quail, the government declared yesterday that it does not agree with the EC’s stance on the matter and will continue to defend its case by all permissible legal means.

The EC is said to be in the process of formulating a warning letter for Malta over what it has deemed as a breach of the Birds Directive, in that Malta still allows the spring hunting of quail and turtledoves.

The government, however, confirmed that it has not received any such formal warning from the EC. A formal warning is the first step in legal action that can be taken against a member state and is followed by a so-called reasoned opinion. If matters are still not resolved, the third and final step consists of bringing a member state before the European Court of Justice to resolve the dispute.

Turtledoves and quail are among the most popular game birds hunted in Malta and the problem stems from the fact that the migratory birds return from Africa to their breeding grounds in Europe in spring. The Commission, however, is expected to be pushing for a relocation of the hunting period to autumn.

Malta is still the only EU member state that allows any kind of hunting in spring and it does so by making use of a provision in the Birds Directive that allows for the hunting of only two species – on condition that certain regulations are adhered to and that a member state opting for the derogation justifies its stance with the EC on a yearly basis.

However, Malta’s justification report, that was submitted in November of last year, fell short of providing a suitable explanation as to why the derogation should be extended in Malta’s case. Malta is said to have contended that autumn hunting, as opposed to spring hunting, provides for limited hunting opportunities – an assessment with which the EC clearly does not agree.