THE CHANGES AND CONSEQUENCES OF THE NEW DRAFT LAW FOR HUNTED BIRD AND MAMMAL SPECIES

1) Shooting from a vehicle: TODAY: criminal offence with up to 3 months in prison and a fine of up to €2,065 ($2,750), suspension of the hunting licence from 1 to 3 years for the first offence and hunter's name placed on a 'to watch' list for local authories.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: a misdemeanour fine of €833 ($1100).

2) Poaching in a National Park or nature reserve TODAY: criminal offence with up to 6 months in prison and a fine.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: a misdemeanour fine of €833 ($1100).

3) Bird Trapping/catching TODAY: criminal offence with up to 3 months in prison and a fine of up to €2,065 ($2,750).

UNDER THE NEW LAW: a fine administered by the competent local authority). By some readings of the legislation it would also decriminalise the killing or capture of rare or protected species and the commercialisation of wildlife.

4) More species huntable: TODAY - 49 species are huntable of which 36 species are birds and 13 mammals.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: other species would be added including Golden Plover Pluvialis apricaria and White-fronted Goose Anser albifrons (protected by the EU Birds Directive, Hazel Grouse Bonasa bonasia, Greylag Goose Anser anser and Bean Goose Anser fabalis.

5) More days to shoot, putting breeding birds at risk. - TODAY the hunting season starts on the 3rd Sunday of September and runs until 31st January.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: Extension of hunting season for 11 species by between 10 and 50 days.

6) Fewer regulations that limit firepower. TODAY: a limit of three rounds/cartridges in the magazine of a shotgun or rifle.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: A magazine without limitation of the number of rounds/cartridges -  in violation of the EU Habitats Directive and the Berne Convention.

7) More hours to shoot in the day - TODAY: no shooting after sunset.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: an hour before sunrise or after sunset when shooting waterbirds or thrushes.

8) Use of live call-birds - fewer controls and more illegality TODAY: every call bird must be marked with a irremovable closed ring that demostrates its legal origins.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: No ring strictly neccessary - any controls become impossible.

9) Permitting of shooting from moving boats. TODAY: shooting from a floating boat is illegal ... the boat must be grounded.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: shooting from boats permitted; even chasing groups of waterbirds such as coots would be allowed.

10) More freedom for hunting tourism - TODAY: a licensed hunter has the right to hunt in the territory in which he lives, OR in a another defined territory with an appropriate permit.

UNDER THE NEW LAW: No limits to hunter movements - they can hunt anywhere they wish if they obey the law.