Stop the Illegal Slaughter of Migrating Songbirds on MoD land in Cyprus.

After hearing the Radio 2 discussion about the slaughter of Songbirds on MoD land in Cyprus I went to sign a petition asking the MoD to stop it - there is no such petition.

RSPB estimate 1.7 million killed in 2016, approx 800,000 on MoD land. Chris Packham advises there are simple solutions.

Migrating songbirds are being trapped by poachers in hidden nets and sold as a delicacy.

I understand that we can't control what happens on Cypriot land, but think the MoD should stop illegal activity on it's own land.

It is also illegal in Cyprus.

Chris Packham interviewed on Radio 2 speaks of practical solutions - www.rt.com/document/58ca94a4c36188584d8b46a7/amp

www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/songbirds-cyprus-military-base-800000-british-ministry-of-defence-a7632221.html%3famp

We recognise the elimination of bird trapping and change of cultural practices in Cyprus will take some years.

The practice of trapping birds in the SBA is an issue the SBA Administration and the UK Ministry of Defence takes very seriously. The SBAs comprise of both Crown and private land, only a small proportion of which is enclosed military sites. Trapping birds in SBA occurs mainly in the Cape Pyla area near Dhekelia, where the public have full access to the 13000 acre area that is not contained within the perimeter of a military camp. The area is 12 km to the east of Dhekelia Station in the Eastern Sovereign Base Area of Cyprus. Illegal trapping of birds is a widespread issue across the whole of Cyprus and is not confined to the SBAs. The practice of trapping and eating ambelopoulia (a dish made from songbirds), has been a traditional way of life in the Republic of Cyprus (RoC) and substantial profits are made by those who organise and control this activity. There are no restaurants in the SBA selling ambelopoulia, however, there are restaurants that serve this in the RoC, and this is not something the SBA Administration can control.

The SBA Administration is pursuing over 80 convictions associated with bird trapping and poaching offences in the SBA. We believe this enforcement has impacted on bird trapping activity and this kind of intervention will continue as part of our ongoing activities. Of the 150 acres of invasive acacia bushes used by trappers to attract birds towards their mist-nets in the special areas of conservation on the Pyla Range, the SBA Administration has removed over 60 acres in the last three years. Removals will continue in spite of the aggressive stance by the local community and individuals who favour bird trapping.