A petition against amendments to the Hunting and Game Protection Act containing more than 6000 signatures was presented in Parliament by the To Sustain the Nature in Bulgaria coalition on October 2 2008.

The petition, with signatories from a number of countries, claims that the amendments violate European Union regulations, Bulgarian-language Dnevnik daily said.

The controversial amendments include extending water birds hunting season by one month, which is the crux of protests by environmentalists who claim that it would harm not only the game but also tourism.

The amendments are expected to be adopted on October 3. Activists have already organised a sitting protests on the outside the Parliament building.

Environmentalists also oppose changes to the act which could mean the end of hundreds of hunting organisations formed on voluntary principles. As a result only major hunting organisations would control hunting in Bulgaria.