NICOSIA (AFP) — More than one million migratory birds were illegally trapped and killed over the past year to feed an illicit Cypriot taste for such delicacies, an conservationist group said on Monday.
According to a field survey by Birdlife Cyprus carried out between March 2007 and February 2008, an estimated 1.1 million birds were indiscriminately killed with the use of mist nets and limesticks.
These methods are used to catch black caps and song thrushes, much sought after delicacies on Cyprus that fetch five euros (more than seven dollars) a bird at restaurants, making the illegal trade a lucrative one.
"Cyprus is most probably the worst in Europe for killing migratory birds. They are in the premier league for offenders," Birdlife director Martin Helicar told AFP.
"If there isn't the political will to clamp down on the restaurants, then Cyprus will return to the bad old days of the 1990s when up to 10 million birds were killed," he added.
A huge crackdown on trappers and restaurants was enforced before Cyprus joined the European Union in May 2004 but now conservationists say the government lacks the political will to eradicate the trade.
"MPs have already tabled a bill before parliament that would decriminalise such activity and greatly reduce the fines," said Hellicar.
He said MPs were proposing to amend existing legislation which provides for a maximum three-year jail term and or 17,000-euro fine to be replaced with on-the-spot penalties of up to 200 euros for nets and 100 euros for sticks.
"Unless the law is properly enforced millions of migratory birds are at risk," he said.
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