Birdlife files judicial protest against Mepa

Birdlife Malta is claiming that a statement in its regard by the Malta Environment and Planning Authority was defamatory and libelous.

In a judicial protest filed in the First Hall of the Civil Court this morning, Birdlife called upon the authority to withdraw allegations that it had not fulfilled the conditions imposed upon it for the authority to co-finance an EU project it was taking part in.

Mepa had promised to co-finance the project by up to €30,000 Birdlife's participation in the project LIFE + Information and Communication - a European system of financing that regulated campaigns for public information about the environment.

The European Commission had requested an official form completed by Mepa as a co-financier of the project, and Mepa had completed this form last July without any condition save that the project be approved by the European Commission.

The European Commission approved Birdlife's participation in the project last November and an agreement, including Mepa's promise of financing, was signed.

But according to Mepa, it had specifically requested Birdlife to directly involve other key organisations that represented trappers in the project activities.

Mepa claimed that this condition was not fulfilled and that consequently it did not enter into any formal committment with Birdlife to sponsor this project.

Birdlife told the court that this public statement had been issued following a belligerent press release by the hunters and trappers' federation (FKNK).

It claimed that at no time had the authority imposed any condition. Birdlife also claimed that Mepa 's allegation that Birdlife had not fulfilled its obligations was defamatory and libellous. It told the court that Mepa had not honoured its obligations, had not completed another document of co-financing and was trying to evade its legal obligations.

Birdlife insisted that at no time had Mepa insisted that Birdlife involve the FKNK. Birdlife called upon Mepa to withdraw its allegations against it and to honour its obligations to co-finance this project. Mepa was also called upon to publish all documents in its possession concerning this project.

Birdlife is also holding Mepa liable in damages.