BirdLife warns of 'major risk' for Malta if spring hunting is allowed

BirdLife Malta today disputed a report in The Sunday Times that The European Commission is to permit Malta to reopen a limited hunting season this spring.

"The Commission itself does not have the authority to permit or stop member states from applying derogations, but can only consider derogations and then take Member States to court where necessary as it had already done in the case of Malta," the NGO said.

"The article however clearly revealed that Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi is determined to open the spring hunting season this year.," it added.

"It is ultimately the Maltese government's decision to take the serious risk of applying a derogation which may lead Malta to being taken to the European Court of Justice a second time. Therefore the government should not try to put the burden on the European Commission any more as it has been doing for many years to appease the hunting lobby in Malta," said BirdLife Malta President Joseph Mangion.

He warned that opening another spring hunting season, despite the ECJ ruling 'which found Malta's previous derogation unlawful,' could result in hefty fines at the expense of Maltese taxpayers.

"If the Office of the Prime Minister has any idea how Malta could meet all the conditions for a lawful derogation, then we expect the OPM to reveal the details of such a plan to the public before a decision is taken," Mr Mangion said.

BirdLife Malta said that in Europe both the Turtle Dove and Common Quail were listed as Species of Conservation Concern in the Commission's own Hunting Guide, and their hunting in spring could not be lawful according to the Birds Directive.

"Furthermore with the proven record of inadequate law enforcement of hunting laws in Malta, we wonder how Dr Gonzi thinks that Malta could meet all the conditions of the Birds Directive. It is about time that the Prime Minister respects the EU nature conservation laws and the will of the majority of the Maltese people who do not want another spring hunting season," Mr Mangion concluded.

The Prime Minister in a PN political activity yesterday confirmed that the government is considering allowing Spring hunting and said the government is seeking agreement with the European Commission on the issue in order to avoid controversy.