Malta to discuss hunting with Brussels

A new round of talks between the government and the European Commission on specific proposals regarding spring hunting are expected to start after the Ornis Committee recommended that the season be opened for three weeks in April.

Discussions had already been held in recent months on the possibility of a derogation from the EU's rules against spring hunting but the Prime Minister said yesterday the talks would now be taken to the next level.

Lawrence Gonzi said the recommendation by Ornis remained just that, a recommendation. The government would have to make its own decisions "within the parameters of the court ruling".

The Ornis Committee on Wednesday approved a Malta Environment and Planning Authority proposal for spring hunting to be allowed between April 10 and 30, during which hunters would be able to shoot 22,298 turtle doves and 10,837 quails.

The European Commission would not comment on the Ornis recommendation.

A spokesman for the Commission said that since there was no formal notification from the government that it intended to permit hunting this spring, Brussels was not in a position to comment. He confirmed, however, that the government had talks with Brussels over the matter.

"The Commission can confirm that, in line with its policy of dialogue with member states following a judgment of the Court, it has had discussions with the Maltese authorities in recent months in relation to the need for any derogation for spring hunting to meet the conditions of the Court judgment and obligations under the Birds Directive."

Many had thought spring hunting would end after the European Court of Justice last year ruled that Malta had breached EU law when it allowed it to take place.

However, the Court had also argued that the autumn season, in principle, did not really offer an alternative to spring, which the government interpreted as an opportunity to explore "very limited hunting, under strict controls".