Cyprus MP Sparks Flap over Poached Bird Dish

A Cyprus lawmaker has stirred controversy online after posting a picture of himself at a table serving a dish of songbirds whose poaching is banned on the Mediterranean island.

Evgenios Hamboullas -- a member of the environment committee in the house of representatives -- uploaded the image to Facebook on Saturday with the catchline: "Soon in our restaurants! Happy Holidays!"

The deputy with the ruling rightwing Democratic Rally (DISY) did not mention the word "songbirds", locally known as "ambelopoulia", but web users reacted with clear references to the protected species visible in the photo.

Some supported Hamboullas, while others labeled the picture a "provocation" and called on him to resign.

He is up for re-election in May 2016 elections.

DISY on Monday distanced itself from the faux pas, in a statement reaffirming "its steady position on fully respecting European guidance and national legislation."

Hamboullas said in media comments that he would not retract the controversial post.

Trapping ambelopoulia is illegal in Cyprus, but there is a lucrative black market trade in songbirds.

Some politicians have been accused of turning a blind eye to the poaching, and others have called for the law to be changed.

Conservationist group Birdlife Cyprus says that more than two million migratory birds were killed in Cyprus last autumn.

Mist nets and lime sticks are used to catch blackcaps and song thrushes, much sought-after delicacies that fetch up to 80 euros ($88) per dozen in restaurants.

Dr Clairie Papazoglu, executive director of Birdlife Cyprus, said the MP's post "seems to be promoting an illegal and condemnable act."

She called for "zero tolerance" for crimes against wildlife.

Cyprus's Game and Fauna Service, in charge of the fight against poaching, says the illegal trade is worth about 15 million euros a year.

The law allows for penalties of up to three years in jail and fines of 17,000 euros for poaching, but these are rarely imposed.

An estimated 60 species listed as threatened or in need of protection are snared in illegal Cypriot traps.