Maltas Accession To The Eu And The Ec Birds Directive

EDM number 229 in 2002-03, proposed by Malcolm Bruce on 28/11/2002.

That this House welcomes the Government's efforts to toughen the European Commission's position on Malta's compliance with the EC Birds Directive as part of that country's European Union accession negotiations; notes with concern however the decision to allow Malta a transition period in its compliance with the Birds Directive which will allow the trapping of seven types of finch to be phased out over a five year period following its accession to the Union rather than being ended immediately as required by that Directive; further notes with concern the willingness to look favourably at a derogation by Malta which will allow the continued taking of turtle doves and quail on the island during spring migration; feels that these concessions send the wrong signal, both to existing and potential Member States of the European Union, about the importance of the Birds Directive and conservation more generally; and calls on the Government to continue to put pressure on the European Commission to ensure that Malta moves to full compliance with its obligations under the Birds Directive at the earliest opportunity.

This motion has been signed by a total of 36 MPs.