This subsidiary legislation, issued on 30 March 2026 as Legal Notice 80 of 2026, establishes a derogation under Article 9 of EU Directive 2009/147/EC (Birds Directive) to permit a spring hunting season for quail (Coturnix coturnix) in Malta in 2026. The Minister has considered the conservation status of Malta's reference quail population in authorising this derogation. Quail are classified as a huntable species under Part B of Annex II of the Birds Directive. For purposes of this legislation, "small numbers" under Article 9(1)(c) of the Birds Directive is defined as a sample equivalent to 1% of the total annual mortality of the reference population. The reference population is understood as quail from EU regions from which the majority of specimens passing through Malta's region originate during the derogation period. The calculation of 1% of total annual mortality for quail is established as 2,416 birds, based on a minimum breeding success of 4 chicks per pair, a minimum of 2 broods per year, chick first-year mortality rate of 80%, and adult mortality rate of 71%. The spring hunting season for quail in 2026 is set for 13 April to 3 May 2026 (both dates inclusive), from two hours before sunrise to noon. Hunting is permitted only under a Spring Hunting Licence and the framework established by the Frame Regulations for Permitting Derogation to Open the Season for Wood Pigeons and Quail in Spring. The total quota for the spring hunting season is 2,400 quail across all licences issued. The Minister may immediately suspend or terminate the season by notice in the Gazette or other announcement, upon which all hunting activities must cease and the licence becomes void.

Conservation of Wild Birds – Declaration of Derogation for Spring Hunting Season 2026 for Quail (L.S. 549.182)