Source: European Parliament
The Ruddy Shelduck (Tadorna ferruginea) is not included in the list of huntable species under Annex II of the Birds Directive[1].
Member States are primarily responsible to ensure compliance with EU law, including verifying individual cases of potential breach of the relevant rules, and taking the necessary steps for enforcement.
In its role as guardian of the Treaties, the Commission will continue monitoring the situation and may decide to take appropriate action.
The Commission aims to swiftly follow up on systemic issues involving the application of EU law in EU countries. However, one-off instances are better dealt with at national level, as long as there are available remedies, including judicial ones. In these cases, it is up to the national courts to apply and enforce citizens’ rights under EU law.
In line with its strategic approach on enforcement action[2] the Commission focuses on those cases that reveal a systemic breach of EU law in a Member State.
- [1] Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds, OJ L 020 26.1.2010, p. 7.
- [2] As set out in the communication of 19 January 2017: EU law: Better results through better application — C/2016/8600, OJ C 18, 19.1.2017, p. 10-20 and in the communication of 13 October 2022: COM(2022) 518 final — Enforcing EU law for a Europe that delivers.