Hunters decide to boycott consultative body

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation said yesterday it will be boycotting the Ornis committee, a consultative body on hunting regulations which included representatives of the federation and of BirdLife.

The federation's secretary, Lino Farrugia, told a press conference yesterday it was not fair that the government placed the responsibility for enforcement on the federation.

Asked whether the federation ever reported fellow hunters who breached the law, Mr Farrugia said that when this was done the identity of the person filing the report was revealed to the offender.

The federation, he added, would be willing to accept that hunters caught shooting protected species would have their licence suspended.

Listing comments attributed to Nationalist politicians, to the effect that hunting and trapping will be safeguarded once Malta joins the EU, Mr Farrugia insisted that hunters and trappers had been deceived.

"It is now clear to all hunters and trappers that not only has the little freedom to practise our sport been considerably withered away with the proposed amendments but that more restrictions may follow," Mr Farrugia said.

Furthermore, he added, the government is reluctant to avail itself of the federation's expertise, which it has been offering time and again. Mr Farrugia recalled that an agreement had been signed by the federation when Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi occupied the office of general secretary of the Nationalist Party.

In the agreement, the PN had promised it would make sure the federation is involved in the decision-making process when drawing up regulations about hunting and trapping, he added.

Mr Farrugia said the government is compiling a report justifying its request for a derogation so that Maltese hunters will be able to hunt for quail and turtle doves in spring. Such a request, he continued, has to be made every year and has to include detailed plans of how the government intends enforcing the regulations in order to prevent illegal hunting.

Mr Farrugia argued that the Environment Ministry's officials working on the report do not have the necessary expertise. During a meeting the federation had with the ministry yesterday the government officials indicated they did not know that other countries, such as Ireland, Austria and Finland, apply for similar derogations, he said.

Given the right attitude, there could still be some hope for hunters, Mr Farrugia said, noting that the EU Commission is pushing "for even more amendments to the current regime".

He criticised the Opposition Leader who, he said, is now saying there is nothing to be done about the situation. "We are not happy with such comments, especially because there are things that can be done... there always is," Mr Farrugia said.

He indicated that the federation could call an extraordinary general meeting soon during which action, including legal action will be discussed.