Brussels, 2 April 2025 – After several years of work and four years of a hunting moratorium on the Turtle Dove in the western flyway, the European Commission has approved the reopening of hunting as all criteria have been met. These criteria include a population increase, which has been evident since 2021, a positive growth rate estimated by the model, and the implementation of regulatory systems to ensure compliance with the agreed Adaptive Harvest Management requirements.

The reopening will occur with a strictly regulated quota of 1.5% of the post-breeding population, estimated at approximately 8.85 million individuals. The western flyway countries involved are Spain, France, Portugal, and some regions of north-western Italy. This very low harvest rate was deemed sustainable and precautionary based on the last five years of scientific research on the Turtle Dove in the western flyway.

FACE Secretary General, Dr. David Scallan stated: “FACE welcomes the move to re-open hunting in the western flyway, viewing it as an important milestone for sustainable hunting in Europe. In countries where the species is huntable, hunters play a vital role in spearheading conservation efforts to restore, manage, and preserve high-quality habitats essential for the species’ survival. The reopening will motivate those hunters in the western flyway, who invest considerable resources in this year-round management to support conservation initiatives for these species”.

For further information, please contact: communication@face.eu