On wild birds: their situation, hunting and trade therein 

The petitioner reports that of the almost 300 species of birds protected in Spain, the survival of 137 is to some degree threatened. Of these, 36 species are endangered while another 13 are at a critical point. Hunting, the illegal trade in wild birds, deadly hazards such as collisions or electrocution, habitat loss or degradation are the principal causes of death of many birds, especially migratory ones. Every year, thousands of birds die in Spain for reasons directly related to people. Its geographical situation means Spain has a huge responsibility when it comes to bird conservation: it is a key enclave for the survival in Europe of migratory birds. Moreover, it is home to 90 % of Europe’s populations of scavenger birds. The petitioner denounces infringements of the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 November 2009 on the conservation of wild birds) and calls for a thorough investigation thereof and for the Spanish Government to be asked for corresponding explanations in order that wild birds, and especially protected migratory species and seriously endangered species, are guaranteed genuine and strict protection.