BirdLife Malta condemns Ornis Committee decision to open spring hunting amid turtle-dove decline<\/p>\n
BirdLife Malta has strongly condemned the Ornis Committee’s decision to open the spring hunting season for the turtle-dove, warning that the move ignores clear scientific evidence showing a continued decline in the species’ population.<\/p>\n
In a statement on Tuesday, the NGO said the outcome of Monday’s Ornis Committee meeting showed that the majority of members had once again aligned themselves with political pressure, rather than basing decisions on scientific evidence and conservation needs.<\/p>\n
During the meeting, BirdLife said it presented its latest findings following the publication of the new EU Article 12 reporting earlier this year.<\/p>\n
According to BirdLife, the data clearly confirmed a continued downward trend in the population of the Turtle-dove, reinforcing long-standing concerns it has raised, particularly since the moratorium on hunting this species was lifted.<\/p>\n
“Despite the significance of this data, the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) dismissed it on the basis that it still requires vetting at EU level,” the NGO said.<\/p>\n
BirdLife said it rebutted this argument, emphasising that the data remains highly indicative and, in line with the precautionary principle, should have led to a decision not to open a spring hunting season for the turtle-dove this year.<\/p>\n
A proposal to reinstate a moratorium on spring hunting of the turtle-dove was rejected, with four votes against, one in favour from BirdLife Malta, and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) abstaining.<\/p>\n
Commenting on the outcome, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana said that ERA’s abstention “once again shows the weak spine of the authority in safeguarding our natural resources when faced with political will to do otherwise.”<\/p>\n
“BirdLife Malta cannot understand how a scientist would not uphold the precautionary principle; while ERA did not agree with opening a season, it still chose to remain on the fence – a position that reflects cowardice at a time when courage to protect nature is so urgently needed,” he said.<\/p>\n
Sultana warned that Malta would “very soon look back and realise the grave mistake and illegality it is committing by allowing turtle-doves to be shot in spring.”<\/p>\n
“The spring hunting season has an expiry date, and that time is now,” he added.<\/p>\n
The committee also approved the opening of a spring hunting season for Turtle-dove and quail as proposed by FKNK, with BirdLife Malta casting the sole vote in opposition.<\/p>\n
BirdLife further raised concerns that key reports and documentation were circulated to committee members only a few hours before the meeting commenced, saying this raised serious questions about transparency, due process, and respect for informed decision-making.<\/p>\n
The NGO said that the decision reflects a troubling pattern within the Ornis Committee, where political considerations continue to outweigh scientific evidence, to the detriment of Malta’s natural heritage.<\/p>\n
BirdLife reiterated its call for decisions concerning wildlife to be guided by science, transparency, and the precautionary principle, particularly when dealing with species in clear decline such as the turtle-dove.<\/p>\n