Birdlife has sent letters and a copy of its manifesto to local MEP candidates as part of an EU-wide campaign by Birdlife International to urge candidates to work towards strengthening existing EU conservation policies.

Birdlife encouraged the public to contact MEP candidates and demand that they prioritise the environment.

"Policies like the Birds and Habitats Directives have already been of benefit to the Maltese environment. We expect the Maltese MEPs to work towards strengthening these important EU legislations and not attempt to sabotage them as we have seen in the past," said Birdlife campaigns co-ordinator Geoffrey Saliba said.

The conservation NGO is particularly keen for candidates to work towards strengthening the Natura 2000 network of protected areas throughout Europe and extend it to include marine areas that are rich in wildlife.

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