Minister shows EU Environment Commissioner 'conservation project' by hunters
BirdLife Malta describes meeting as 'greenwashing trap'
Updated 4.30pm with BirdLife comments
Gozo and Planning Minister Clint Camilleri introduced EU Environment Commissioner Jessika Roswall to officials of the hunters' federation during a visit to Malta, and showed her round a project the federation has in Buskett to hatch barn owls.
Roswall was in Malta to view conservation projects.
This was the second meeting between Camilleri and Roswall, following an earlier encounter in Brussels a few months ago.
The ministry said that during her visit to Malta, the commissioner viewed several conservation initiatives.
At Buskett, FKNK president Lucas Micallef provided a detailed explanation of the conservation efforts underway, the ministry said. The commissioner was also shown barn owl chicks that had hatched shortly before her visit.
Camilleri said he remains open to further dialogue with the European Commission, particularly with Roswall.
Late last year, the European Commission launched infringement proceedings against Malta over its decision to allow the trapping of seven finch species for “research purposes”, saying the practice amounts to “recreational hunting in disguise”.
'Greenwashing trap'
In response to the visit, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana told Times of Malta that the commissioner had “fallen into a greenwashing trap”.
He added that he found it “ironic” that the commissioner had visited the FKNK yet had only had a "five-minute chat" with BirdLife.
“The minister took her to see a conservation project, which might be one of the most failed conservation projects in Malta, as we find so many dead barn owls", he said. "This is basic greenwashing and misinformation”.
BirdLife had asked to hold a meeting with Roswall in a nature reserve, but her team had responded saying she was extremely busy and could only offer enough time for a five-minute chat, Sultana said.
He also questioned the decision not to hold a press conference, which would have given journalists a chance to ask the commissioner questions.
BirdLife has since sent questions to Roswall, asking if she would be able to make time for a meeting with the NGO in Brussels.