MIGRATORY BIRDS IN CYPRUS AND MALTA

That this House notes with concern the large scale slaughter of migratory birds in many Mediterranean countries particularly in Cyprus and Malta; is appalled that in Malta alone over three million wild birds are shot or trapped each year, many of them illegally; notes with dismay that the newly elected President of Cyprus has lifted the two-year ban on the Spring shooting of migratory birds with effect from Sunday, 25th April; calls upon Her Majesty's Government to maintain its own ban on the Spring killing of wild birds in the United Kingdom Sovereign bases in Cyprus; notes that many birds species killed in Cyprus and Malta are afforded special protection in the United Kingdom and other EC member states under the EC Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds and that the situation in Malta and Cyprus may prejudice their joining of the European Community; notes with concern that Cyprus is in breach of the Berne Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats; calls upon the Governments of Cyprus and Malta to enforce their domestic wildlife legislation; notes that the next meeting of the Commonwealth Conference takes place in Cyprus in 1993; and calls upon her Majesty's Government to take the lead in seeking to persuade the Governments of Cyprus and Malta to enforce and improve the controls relating to the killing of migratory birds.