The Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) has called on Cyprus's House of Representatives not to undermine anti-poaching operations, ahead of Wednesday's session of the House Environment Committee.
The organisation is responding to an agenda item tabled by the far-right National Popular Front (ELAM), which requested discussion of the "impact of environmental organisations' actions". CABS argues that any move to limit cooperation between non-governmental organisations (NGOs), the Cyprus Police and the Game and Fauna Service would damage efforts against illegal bird trapping and killing.
Background to the committee session
CABS said the Environment Committee meeting should have been an opportunity to highlight the contribution of environmental organisations to wildlife protection. Instead, the organisation said, ELAM is using the session to press for restrictions on field operations. CABS urged MPs not to be misled by what it described as manoeuvring aimed at disrupting the established cooperation between NGOs, police and the Game and Fauna Service.
Statement from CABS leadership
CABS President Karl-Heinz Kreutzer said coordinated operations between gamekeepers, police and NGOs have for years formed the backbone of successful anti-poaching efforts in Cyprus. He described the push to restrict that cooperation as "a clear trap, designed to catch the authorities off guard and leave the field open to those breaking the law against wildlife."
Kreutzer added that, rather than weakening law enforcement, parliament should strengthen checks and actively support closer institutional cooperation between NGOs and police "to protect the natural heritage we share."
Recent enforcement figures
CABS cited field monitoring as one of the key factors behind the enforcement of wildlife crime legislation on the island. During last autumn's trapping season alone, the organisation said its reports led directly to the conviction of 55 poachers, along with the seizure of 1,621 lime sticks, 139 nets and 89 electronic calling devices used to lure birds. A total of 1,286 live birds, trapped in nets or caught on lime sticks, were released. In recent weeks, joint coordinated operations led to six poachers being caught red-handed, resulting in the seizure of firearms and illegal trapping equipment.
CABS' position on legal compliance
CABS said its international and Cypriot volunteers operate strictly within the legal framework, acting as the "eyes and ears" needed to enforce the EU Birds Directive in Cyprus. According to the organisation, giving in to pressure from ELAM and hunting associations would seriously damage Cyprus's international image and reverse years of progress in tackling wildlife crime.
