European Commission takes Malta to court over bird trapping 'study'

Updated 12.50pm with BirdLife Malta's reaction Brussels on Friday announced it is taking Malta to the European Court for violating a ban on bird trapping.   The legal action comes after trappers have been participating in a catch-and-release ‘study’, despite the Commission having warned Malta to stop the practice or face possible court action. The scheme was first introduced last year after the European Commission effectively banned a regular season. On Thursday Times of Malta reported that the European Commission was set to take Malta to the European Court of Justice, with sources saying an announcement was imminent.   In an announcement on its website on Friday, The European Commission said that, even though the declared objective is ‘research', several elements indicate that the scheme - in practice - allows for a large number of birds to be captured without being reported.  This, Brussels says, runs contrary to the strict conditions set by the EU's Birds Directive.  The Commission therefore sent a letter of formal notice to Malta in December 2020, followed by a reasoned opinion in June 2021.  "Although Malta repealed the incriminated legislation in early October, it did not...