BirdLife International and BirdLife Malta welcomed the decision by the European Commission to take Malta to the European Court of Justice, regarding the practice of spring hunting and trapping of wild birds, which is illegal under EU law. Every spring since its accession to the EU in 2004, Malta has permitted hunting and trapping of European Turtle-dove (Streptopelia turtur) and Common Quail (Coturnix coturnix), in direct contravention of the EU Birds Directive.