The European Commission is requesting Greece to establish a general system of protection for wild birds, prohibiting, in particular, their deliberate killing through poison baits. The use of poison baits is widespread in Greece, and no serious action has been taken so far, contrary to what is required under the Birds (Directive 2009/147/EC) and Habitats (Council Directive 92/43/EEC) Directives. In the Natura 2000 site of Nestos river, for example, the use of this illegal practice in 2012 led to the destruction of an entire vulture species colony, but the Greek authorities have so far done little to prevent such incidents from happening again. The Commission opened an infringement procedure against Greece in September 2013, urging the Greek authorities to better control this phenomenon in the entire country and to adopt the necessary measures to restore the damages that have occurred in Nestos in 2012. As the measures to ensure full compliance with EU law have not yet been taken, the Commission is sending a reasoned opinion. If the Greek authorities fail to act within two months, the case may be referred to the Court of Justice of the EU.
Outrage in UK as the Government as the Government released details of the 3.87million experiments carried out on mammals, birds and fish last year
On October 22nd 2015, the UK government released details of the 3.87million experiments carried out on mammals, birds and fish last year. These information has lead to the angriness of animal welfare organisations across UK.
The experiments were described as causing “'unacceptable levels of suffering” and the Government came under attack for failing to reduce the numbers of animals used in laboratories
More on http://www.express.co.uk/news/nature/614011/Outrage-millions-experiments-carried-out-animals
Commission requests MALTA to end finch trapping
The European Commission has requested Malta to bring its hunting legislation into line with EU rules on the conservation of wild birds. The case concerns Malta's decision to apply a derogation to the EU Birds Directive (2009/147/EC), allowing the live capture (i.e. trapping) of seven species of wild finches as from 2014. Member States may derogate from the requirement of strict protection only in the absence of other satisfactory solutions, and provided that the population of the species concerned is maintained at a satisfactory level. As these conditions are not met in this case, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice in October 2014, urging Malta to refrain from finch trapping. Malta went ahead with the derogation as planned and does not agree with the Commission's position, so the Commission is now sending a reasoned opinion. If Malta fails to act within two months, the case may be referred to the EU Court of Justice.
(For more information: Enrico Brivio – Tel.: +32 229 56172)
Belgium: prohibition to win an animal in fairs
Belgian law was already prohibiting the possibility to "win" an animal in public events. But in fairs, the law was easily circumvented by offering to the winner "points" that he can exchange with an animal. Therefore, the animal was not considered as directly won, and goldenfishes, birds and rodents were still regularly offered in fairs.
But this week, the Walloon minister decided to change the law to definitively stop awarding animals as prizes, reward or gift.
Malta: a welcomed judgment of Sicilian bird smugglers
Last week, a maltese Court gave a judgment which sentenced to a 4,600€ fine smugglers of protected birds coming from Sicily. The case was disclosed and prosecuted as a result of joint operation by Customs, the Administrative Law Enforcement Unit of the Malta Police Force and the Specialist Enforcement Branch of the Wild Birds Regulation Unit
More information on http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdetails/news/national/Animal-rights-secretariat-welcomes-anti-smuggling-court-decision-20131126
Illegal hunting in Malta II
Hunting of migratory birds
Protecting birds in the Llobregat Delta (Catalonia, Spain)
21 March 2013
Willy Meyer (GUE/NGL)
E-003265/2013
Continue reading Protecting birds in the Llobregat Delta (Catalonia, Spain)
Live plucking/gathering feathers from live geese
E-011524/2012
18 December 2012
Karl-Heinz Florenz (PPE)
Continue reading Live plucking/gathering feathers from live geese