On January 22, 2025, the Parliamentary Committee on Environment discussed a proposed bill regarding the legalization of falconry in designated, hunting-prohibited areas in the countryside. According to the bill, the Minister of Interior would be able to designate areas through decrees where falconry—the use of birds of prey as hunters—would be allowed to control populations of harmful wildlife species that damage agricultural crops.
However, there are strong reservations and serious concerns, as falconry is currently prohibited in Cyprus under existing legislation, and such an amendment could pose significant threats to wildlife. Legalizing falconry without specific regulations and monitoring mechanisms may worsen the already existing issue of illegal capture, captivity, and trade of protected birds of prey—a phenomenon that unfortunately is already observed in Cyprus.
Additionally, implementing the proposed regulation would create an extra administrative burden on the competent authorities, which are already struggling to combat poaching and protect biodiversity. The absence of specific provisions for handler training, record-keeping, and supervision of hunting birds further raises concerns about the law’s effective enforcement.
Given the above, Terra Cypria expresses its opposition to the proposed bill and recommends its rejection by the Parliamentary Committee on Environment and the House of Representatives.