Changes in hunting in Cyprus: New obligations, fines and dogs

The Game and Fauna Service informs that, from 10/12/2020, the House of Representatives passed the Law on Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Prey (Amending) Law of 2020.

With the amendments contained in the above Law, the following are achieved:

1. The settlement procedure of the extrajudicial fines is regulated as well as their payment reduced, if they are paid within a specified period of time.

2. The procedure according to which hunting accompanied by a dog will be allowed only by hunting dogs bearing a mark (microchip) is regulated.

3. The process of certification of hunting dogs for snipe and chewing gum hunting with the accompaniment of a dog is defined.

4. The obligatory use of hunting orange for other types of hunting (eg snipe and quail hunting)

5. The cartridge transport is regulated.

6. Better protection of habitats, biodiversity and special protection zones.

7. The further safety of the hunters as well as the gamekeepers and the Police when conducting hunter checks.

Regarding the registration of hunting dogs as well as the process of certification of hunting dogs, for snipe and chewing gum hunting accompanied by a dog, the procedure that will be followed until 28/2/2021 is briefly explained below:

1. Initially, the hunter who wishes to register his dogs, for hunting purposes, should register on the electronic platform of the Hunting and Fauna Service www.gws.moi.gov.cy

2. In the next stage he should register the hunting dogs that he wishes to use for hunting both during the current hunting season and during the following hunting seasons.

3. To be able to use a hound:

3.1. for snipe hunting must notify the Hunting and Fauna Service, through the above electronic platform, certificates or evidence proving that the dog belongs to the breeds of group 7 (Group 7 - see point 3.3 below) or has characteristics of these breeds.

3.2. for chewing gum hunting must notify the Hunting and Fauna Service, through the above electronic platform, certificates or evidence proving that his dog belongs to the breeds of group 8 (Group 8 - see point 3.3 below) or has characteristics of these breeds.

3.3. The above groups are designated by the International Kennel Club (FCI) and the breeds belonging to each group are published on the website www.fci.be/en.

4. Hunters who do not have the required certificates mentioned in point 3 above or the information they have provided to the Hunting and Fauna Service does not satisfy the Chief, then their dogs will have to pass a test to be conducted by the Chief of the Game and Fauna Service, at a place and time that will be notified to them. This test will be performed free of charge until 28/2/2021.