Ian Hudghton MEP says he was “deeply saddened” to hear that the Maltese government has decided to allow the spring bird hunt to go ahead this year. This is in spite of infringement proceedings brought by the European Commission last summer against the Maltese government for their failure to implement the Birds Directive.

Mr Hudghton has been contacted by many constituents about Malta’s failure to comply with the legislation and has written to Environment Commissioner, Stavros Dimas, asking him to put all the pressure he can to bring Malta into line with the rest of the EU. 

In making his appeal, Mr Hudghton wanted to highIight the damage Maltese hunters inflict on efforts in Scotland to protect endangered species like the osprey.

Speaking from Parliament in Brussels, the MEP said:

“I was deeply saddened to hear that the Maltese government has once again bowed to pressure from the hunting lobby. In writing to the Commissioner I wanted in particular to highlight the despair felt by environmentalists in Scotland in the wake of this week’s news. 

"So long as the huntsmen of Malta continue to get their way, Scottish efforts to protect rare species such as the osprey will be thwarted. I can see little economic benefit and absolutely no moral or environmental justification for retaining this traditional pursuit and shall do all I can to put an end to this cruel and environmentally damaging 'sport'."