Environmental organisation Terra Cypria has called for the immediate revocation of three ministerial decrees that allow hunting dog training in 42 designated areas during the critical bird nesting and breeding season.
The environmental foundation claims the decrees violate European Union directives and harmonised Cypriot legislation on wild bird conservation.
Under the controversial decrees, individuals with valid hunting licences who have paid a €20 dog training fee can exercise up to four hunting dogs in these areas from sunrise to sunset between 7 March and 14 July.
The permitted areas span all five districts of Cyprus, with 10 locations in Nicosia, 5 in Limassol, 6 in Larnaca, 10 in Paphos, and 11 in Famagusta.
Terra Cypria argues that “hunting privileges such as dog training cannot supersede human rights,” specifically citing the right to a safe, clean, healthy and sustainable environment as protected under Article 7A of the Cyprus Constitution.
The organisation expressed concern about misinformation regarding environmental protection, stating that “a hunting party closing major motorways and roundabouts while promoting demands that contradict EU directives” should alarm both the government and civil society.
According to Terra Cypria, Articles 5 and 7(4) of the EU Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds prohibit any hunting activity, including dog training, from 1 January to 1 July annually. This period requires comprehensive protection for all wild bird species and game, including bans on intentional killing, nest destruction, and habitat disturbance.
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