Commissioner for Environment Jessika Roswall, in a written answer to a parliamentary question from S&D MEP César Luena, acknowledged the importance of new scientific data on the illegal killing of red kites but placed the primary responsibility for enforcement on Member States. The answer, published on 24 April 2026, responds to concerns raised by Luena following a LIFE EUROKITE project report that documented at least 320 illegal deaths of tagged birds of prey, with poisoning accounting for over 74% of cases, often using banned substances like carbofuran, and only eight convictions.
Roswall noted that the Birds Directive requires Member States to prohibit deliberate killing of all wild birds and to designate special protection areas for the red kite, which is listed in Annex I. She stressed that the new data 'must be given the necessary attention by the competent authorities in the affected Member States, who are primarily responsible for the correct implementation of the Directive.' The Commission pointed to existing cooperation mechanisms, such as the Nature Directives Expert Group and its Task Force on the Recovery of Birds, as well as a 2023 review of good practices on preventing illegal killing, taking, and trade of birds.
Policy orientation and follow-up
The answer is largely declarative, reaffirming existing legal frameworks and voluntary cooperation tools rather than announcing new binding measures or numerical targets. The Commission highlighted the adoption on 31 March 2026 of a guidance document on the general system of protection under Articles 5 and 9 of the Birds Directive, which clarifies legal provisions and compiles relevant EU case law to assist Member States in enforcement. No new monitoring, data collection, or enforcement mechanisms were proposed, nor was any timeline for further action given.
The response reflects a cautious approach, balancing acknowledgment of the problem with respect for national competence in environmental enforcement. This may disappoint environmental NGOs and some MEPs seeking stronger EU-level action, while reassuring Member States wary of additional regulatory burdens. The Commission's reliance on existing expert groups and guidance documents suggests incremental progress rather than a paradigm shift in tackling wildlife crime.
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