Parliamentary committee discusses poaching surge and activist interventions

On September 23, 2026, the Cyprus parliamentary Environment Committee held sessions to address the rise in professional poaching and controversies surrounding environmental activist groups. Authorities reported that organized poaching generates over €10 million annually, with repeat offenders treating fines as simple operating costs. A specific case involving a Larnaca district landowner, reported seven times in one year for illegal bird trapping—including the recent discovery of 103 live and 12 dead birds—highlighted the failure of existing penalties to deter criminal networks.

Simultaneously, the head of the Game and Fauna Service, Pantelis Hadjigeros, detailed how poachers are operating nightly in the Androlykou area using off-road vehicles and high-powered spotlights to blind and trap hares. While the police Anti-Poaching Squad (MMAD) continues systematic crackdowns, the committee debated the need for tougher legislative measures, such as the confiscation of hunting weapons or driver's licenses. The session also addressed complaints from deputies, including Linos Papagiannis, regarding alleged harassment of hunters by members of the international activist group CABS, prompting calls for stricter regulation of activist activities.

Legislators are currently drafting a bill aimed at significantly increasing penalties for illegal hunting. Authorities are focusing on strengthening the Anti-Poaching Squad and improving judicial outcomes to replace lenient, ineffective monthly installment fines with more severe deterrents.