A decision was brought this morning at the 10th conference of the member nations of the international Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) in Bergen, Norway, to introduce stricter protection for the ancient symbolic bird of Hungary, the Saker Falcon, known by many in Hungary as the mythical Turul bird.

The introduction of stricter protection is a significant Hungarian success, as the proposal was prepared by Hungary during its presidency of the European Union, and which was accepted by the member states following long and difficult discussions, and as a result was put before the conference of the international convention as a join EU proposal.

The reason for the decision is that the world population of the species – with the exception of that in Hungary – has fallen by 32% within its total range during the past 19 years. According to fresh data, the Asian population, which forms the majority of the world population, has suffered an even more significant decline. Strict protective measures and the cooperation of the countries involved is required to stop this tendency continuing. In Hungary, the Saker Falcon falls under the strictest possible protection, and is one of the flagship species of Hungarian conservation. In the 1970s, the population was at the edge of extinction, but because of decades of committed conservation work, the population is now increasing, in contrast to world trends. At present, 145 pairs live and breed in Hungary.

During the conference those nations from the Near East, Central Asia, North Africa and Europe that have interests in the exploitation of Saker falconry, and who voted for stricter protection, formed a separate workgroup and worked through eight sessions to come to a compromise proposal. According to the proposal, the total world population of the species – with the exception of the Mongolian population – will be included in the Convention's first appendix, which provides the strictest possible protection.

In the interests of thorough surveying of the population and the most rapid realisation of the protective measures possible, the conference decided on the setting up of a Saker Falcon Workgroup, the main task of which is to prepare a global Saker Falcon protection plan, and to subsequently work continuously to realise it.

The conference also brought a decision regarding the strictest possible protection of the Red-footed Falcon. The proposal regarding this issue – similarly to that concerning the Saker Falcon – was also prepared by Hungary, and was presented to the Conference by the European Union. It is especially heartening that the Ukraine also welcomed the measure, since the Ukraine and Hungary are home to the largest populations in Europe.

In addition to representatives of the Ministry of Rural Development, experts from the Hungarian Ornithological and Nature Conservation Society were also actively involved in preparing the Hungarian proposals and in taking part in the international talks on the subject.

(Press Office of the Ministry of Rural Development)