The quail will continue to be a game species in Spain.

The hunting sector is celebrating a significant victory following the government's decision not to classify the quail (Coturnix coturnix) as an endangered species. Despite pressure from certain environmental groups, the Ministry for Ecological Transition and the Demographic Challenge (MITECO) has determined that there are insufficient criteria to include this bird in the Spanish Catalogue of Endangered Species, thus guaranteeing its continued hunting exploitation in the country.

This decision is in line with studies provided by the hunting sector, especially the data collected through the Coturnix Project, an initiative that has involved the collaboration of more than 5,000 hunters and has provided a detailed analysis of the species' status. Thanks to more than 2,000 censuses and the analysis of 49,100 samples, it has been demonstrated that the quail population remains stable in Spain and that regulated hunting does not pose a threat to its conservation.

The Royal Spanish Hunting Federation (RFEC) has applauded the government's stance, noting that science has shown that the study methods used by some environmental organizations did not accurately reflect the reality of the species. "It is essential that decisions regarding wildlife management be based on objective data and not on ideological campaigns seeking to restrict an activity as important as hunting," the RFEC emphasized.

The Spanish government has also rejected the European Commission's proposal to impose a moratorium on quail hunting, reaffirming that current regulations in Spain guarantee a balance between hunting and the conservation of the species. This decision reinforces the position of hunters as key players in the sustainable management of rural environments and the protection of biodiversity.

Quail hunting, in addition to being a deeply rooted tradition in Spain, generates significant economic and social benefits in rural areas. The active participation of hunters in scientific projects like Coturnix demonstrates their commitment to the sustainable management of game species, thus refuting the unfounded accusations of some anti-hunting groups.

With this resolution, Spain reaffirms its commitment to sustainable and regulated hunting, based on technical and scientific criteria. The hunting sector continues to demonstrate its essential role in biodiversity conservation, ensuring the future of quail and other species in a responsible manner.