The species faces a large number of threats outside of the country, and so any individuals passing through the country will likely be subject to these, outlined below.Transformation of agricultural land, including the destruction of hedges and areas of scrub (J. Dunn in litt. 2016) is thought to be an important factor in the global decline of this species, as well as the loss of semi-natural habitats. Changes in agricultural practices have several impacts on the species, as they can both reduce food supply and nesting habitat availability, and it is likely that the decline in food is the main limiting factor rather than the decline in nest site availability (Lutz 2006, Dunn and Morris 2012). Widespread use of chemical herbicides appears to also be a very serious factor, with a consequent decline or elimination of many food plants;and an increased reliance upon cultivated grain (Browne and Aebischer 2003). Hunting is a significant threat. There is believed to be an annual illegal hunting take of 0.6 million individuals across 27 Mediterranean countries (Brochet et al. 2016). The species is vulnerable to infection by the protozoan parasite Trichomonas gallinae (Lennon et al. 2013), which can cause mortality (Stockdale et al. 2015).;Competition with Eurasian Collared-dove Streptopelia decaocto;may also have an impact (Lutz 2006). A loss of suitable autumn stopping sites (field crops and trees around oases) may have contributed to its global decline, as well as a;change in tree composition, increased disturbance and an increase in the number of Common Myna Acridotheres tristis in cities where European Turtle-dove nested in Central Asia (R. Kashkarov in litt.;2015).