Question to the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs:

To ask Her Majesty’s Government what representations they have made to the government of Malta about the enforcement of the bans on the hunting and shooting of migratory birds.

British ministers have discussed spring hunting with their Maltese counterparts on several occasions and encouraged them to enforce legislation to combat illegal hunting. It is for the Maltese Government to investigate any reports of illegal hunting activity, such as shooting of rare and protected species, which are alleged to be taking place in violation of Malta’s permitted hunting regime. We support the European Commission’s efforts to ensure compliance with the EU Wild Birds Directive and the Maltese Government’s efforts to address this issue.