Maltese citizens have filed petitions in the EP both for and against hunting of birds in the springtime. But Malta can't run with the hare while it hunts with the hounds.  It's a case for the Petitions Committee.

The Petition: Migratory birds in the firing line

Like many others, this bird will never   reach Africa, its journey ends in Malta.

Millions of birds fly over this archipelago   to the south of Sicily every year.

But in Malta there's a tradition that's been   established for centuries - hunting.

It's so well established   that for the 360 sq km of Malta

there are nearly 16,000 registered   hunters and nearly 4,000 poachers.

It's the highest density of hunters   per square metre in Europe.

Malta joined the European Union in 2004.

However a directive was adopted   in 1979 - the Birds Directive.

It bans the hunting of migratory birds on   their journey between Europe and Africa.

In exceptional cases,   some States may receive a derogation.

The Maltese authorities say that hunting   opportunities in autumn are few.

Thus until 2008   Spring hunting was still authorised

That was unacceptable   for nature protection organisations.

Every year more than two million birds   are killed in Malta.

A petition has been submitted to   the EP to stop this,

but for the FKNK, the Federation for   Hunting and Conservation in Malta,

this derogation   was promised by the EU.

So they have also submitted a petition to   continue Spring hunting.

Hunters are supported by Maltese MEPs   who wish to preserve their heritage.

So a promise was apparently made   to allow hunting of migratory birds

Nature protection organisations   are up in arms,

as some species have simply   disappeared.

Illegal hunting, also practised by some   hunters, increases the toll considerably.

The dispute between hunters   and conservationists is far from over.

Spring hunting has been banned   since 2008,

as Malta failed to convince   the Commission

that retaining it was absolutely crucial.

The European Court of Justice   was asked to enforce the decision.

For the hunters it's a bitter pill to swallow.

It's a delicate situation   for the Committee on Petitions,

since both hunters and nature protection   organisations want to be heard.

Millions of birds' lives and also respect   for Maltese traditions depend on it.

The Parliament has yet to make   a decision.

The European Court of Justice   has been asked a second time

to give its opinion on the future   of migratory birds in Malta.