Government accused of bowing to hunters' lobby

BirdLife Malta yesterday lambasted the new hunting and trapping regulations, saying they were clear evidence of a government which was being held to ransom by the hunting lobby.

BirdLife said it was clear that the majority of the Maltese were against hunting and were expecting stronger action in favour of nature protection.

However, under the new regulations, it would be possible for song bird trappers to practise their hobby during February, which has up till now been banned.

Regulations also provide for an amnesty to owners of stuffed protected birds who register the birds, and the removal of the confiscation of the shotgun for first-time offenders.

The regulations published in the Government Gazette on Friday also provide for the setting up of a committee, the Ornis Committee, which will comprise representatives of hunters' and trappers' associations and bird protection organisations.

BirdLife said the formation of the Ornis Committee was a good step forward but it was still too early to comment on its functions.

With hunting on land, the government has confirmed what was negotiated with the EU - that it will allow hunting and trapping of turtle doves and quail in spring from March 25 to May 22.

The restriction to turtle dove and quail as species that can be hunted in spring was positive on paper, yet there was no real hope for enforcement, BirdLife said, adding that both hunting and trapping in spring should be banned.

Likewise the restriction of power of seacraft used for hunting was a good move, yet there was no way this could be enforced or proven. BirdLife reiterated that sea shooting should be banned outright.

With regards to a general amnesty on the specimens in stuffed bird collections, BirdLife maintained that the government should have waited until the logistics for this system were finalised before making any announcement.

The bird organisation lamented that the government has not accepted its requests for several breaches to be included as "serious offences".

These include the illegal use of mist nets, hunting of protected species, and the possession of protected species by taxidermists.

BirdLife has also called for the indefinite suspension of the hunting and trapping licence for offenders found guilty a third time.

However, the parliamentary secretary for environment, George Pullicino, said the new regulations should lead towards sustainable hunting and trapping.

He explained that the aims of the Ornis Committee would be to decide what policies and conditions should be adopted for the issuing of new licences for hunting and trapping. Another role of the committee would be to draw up policies to enforce hunting and trapping regulations.

Mr Pullicino said the maximum penalty for some hunting crimes would be raised from Lm500 to Lm1,000 for first-time offenders and from Lm1,000 to Lm2,000 for repeat offenders.

The new regulations brought into force what was negotiated between Malta and the EU, together with other changes the government deemed fit, he said.

Alternattiva Demokratika public relations officer Michael Briguglio said it was obvious the government was once again bowing to hunters' pressure.

"The hunters got concessions from the EU, and now obtained even more from the government. We predicted this would happen," Mr Briguglio said.