BirdLife insists MEPA committed to anti-trapping campaign

BirdLifeMalta insisted today that MEPA had, in writing, made a commitment to support the EU LIFE + Project to the tune of €30,000 over two years.

The society was reacting to a denial of such a commitment made by MEPA last week after the Hunters’ Federation had asked how BirdLife literature on the project indicated MEPA’s involvement.

BirdLife President Joseph Mangion, speaking at a press conference this morning, said the MEPA commitment was made on an official, duly signed, form last July and the society expected the authority and the government to respect it.

He said that in the wake of the MEPA denial he had a meeting at the Office of the Prime Minister and although a reply was expected yesterday, none had been forthcoming.

The EU LIFE + Project consists of an information campaign about bird tapping and its consequences on bird migration.

MEPA said last week it had not involved itself in the project because BirdLife had not involved other key players such as the hunters. But Mr Mangion said that as part of the project, individual trappers and trappers’ groups would be involved in activities, such as awareness meetings, from April.

He said that although Malta had agreed with the EU to phase out bird trapping by the end of 2008, the relevant legal notice had not been issued by the government, hence the need for the campaign.