The party submitted a parliamentary question to the Ministry of Agriculture regarding the decision by the Institute for the Conservation of Nature and Forests (ICNF) announced on May 21. The ICNF declared an early end to the moratorium on hunting the European turtle dove, allowing this activity in the 2025-2026 season rather than maintaining the ban until 2026-2027 as previously established.
The party argues that this decision “raises several issues regarding compliance with the sustainability and conservation criteria set by European guidelines” and questions its scientific basis. It also highlights the opposition of the Portuguese Society for the Study of Birds (SPEA) to this decision.
The PAN questions the ministry led by José Manuel Fernandes about the scientific and technical data supporting the early end of the ban on hunting the turtle dove, seeking to know if there is a credible national system for regulation and monitoring of the species.
The party’s sole deputy, Inês de Sousa Real, also inquires about studies conducted to monitor the turtle dove population in Portugal that “confirm a sustained increase in populations over two consecutive years, as required by the European Commission.”
The PAN further questions the government on whether it will reverse this decision if it is found that there is no scientific data to support the early end of the moratorium or if population indicators of the species again show a declining trend.
“For the PAN, it is therefore necessary to know what measures will be taken to ensure that any potential resumption of turtle dove hunting in Portugal is compatible with international commitments made in the context of biodiversity conservation and the EU Habitats and Birds directives,” stated the party spokesperson, Inês de Sousa Real, in a communiqué.
