Filenews 24 March 2025
A positive and constructive atmosphere prevailed at today's meeting of the Minister of the Interior, Mr. Konstantinos Ioannou, with a delegation of the United Cyprus Hunters Movement. According to an announcement by the competent Ministry, the Minister of the Interior informed the delegation about the actions taken by the Ministry and the Game and Fauna Service, in relation to the Movement's requests.
Specifically, in relation to the request for stricter penalties for poaching and the implementation of a self-immolation procedure, the delegation was informed that as early as December 2024, the Ministry of the Interior submitted to the Legal Service, for legal and technical processing, a bill on the basis of which penalties for specific offenses are increased, while at the same time the authority is given to members of the Game and Fauna Service to use cameras and drones. As regards the procedure of self-immolation, a procedure that is not applied in Cyprus, they were informed again that it will be examined in cooperation with the Legal Service.
During the meeting, the request for the establishment of a legislative framework governing the development of photovoltaic parks, as well as the concession of state land for photovoltaic parks, was also extensively discussed. Mr. Ioannou informed the delegation that since May 2023, all applications for photovoltaic parks on state land have been frozen, while with the new spatial planning policy announced in the summer of 2024 (Mandate 1/2024) exclusion areas have been defined (Natura Plan areas, migratory bird passages, areas within the development limit, areas with a ground slope of more than 25%, etc.), as well as areas where they can be installed under certain conditions. In the definition of the two categories of areas and the conditions set for the second category, issues of protection of the environment and the fauna and flora of the place are also included. Order 1/2024 incorporated the Environmental Authority's Opinion, dated 21.2.2022, after the preparation of a complete Strategic Environmental Study for the location of photovoltaic parks, in cooperation with all the competent Departments and Services. All pending applications will be examined under the new spatial planning policy.
Finally, in relation to the request for an increase in the training areas for hunting dogs, during the nesting and breeding season, the restrictions that exist, due to the European Directive 2009/147/EC on the conservation of wild birds, were explained. The Game and Fauna Service will continue to carry out a continuous evaluation of the areas and accordingly will announce any variations, always within the framework of the legality and obligations of the Republic of Cyprus and with a view to the protection of the fauna of the place.
