Commission of the European Communities v. Republic of Malta Country/Territory European Union, Malta Type of court International court Date Apr 24, 2008 Source UNEP, InforMEA Court name European Court of Justice Seat of court Luxembourg Judge Poiares Maduro, M. Reference number C-76/08 R Language English Subject Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Environmental standards Birds Animal welfare Endangered species Community wildlife management Abstract By order of the President of the Court, Malta was told to refrain from adopting any measures applying the derogation in Article 9 of Council Directive 79/409/EEC of 2 April 1979 on the conservation of wild birds for the hunting of quails (Coturnix coturnix) and turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) on the 2008 spring migration. In the past, Malta allowed for the hunting of these birds under this derogation. In the main proceedings, the Commission contests this practice. As interim relief, the President ordered not to allow the hunting of two types of birds in the 2008 spring migration season. A similar request with regard to 2009 was dismissed since urgency (a condition for granting interim relief) was not made out in the present application for interim measures. Full text European Commission v. Republic of Malta_english.pdf References Cites Council Directive 79/409/EEC on the conservation of wild birds. Legislation | European Union | 1979 (2003) Keyword: Birds, Hunting/capture, Endangered species, Management/conservation, Protection of habitats, Hunting gear/hunting methods, Protection of species Source: FAO, FAOLEX