Greens question legality of hunting report

Just a few days after the presentation of a report by Malta to the European Commission justifying hunting in spring for turtle dove and quail, a Belgian Green MEP challenged the legality of the justifications put forward by the Maltese government.

MEP Bart Staes yesterday asked the Commission if it was aware that in its report, the Maltese government stated that agreement on the hunting of turtle dove and quail in spring had been reached between Malta and Commission officials during accession negotiations in 2002 and that the officials had accepted that the ban of such hunting in spring would mean the abolition of hunting on the island.

Mr Staes also asked if the Commission accepted that the "speaking notes" quoted by the Maltese government had a legal value superior to the accession treaty signed by the Maltese government in April 2003.

Mr Staes's questions were tabled following contacts made with Alternattiva Demokratika EU spokesman Arnold Cassola.

Contacted by The Times, Prof. Cassola said that in its report, presented after a delay of four months and 17 days, the Maltese government was quoting "speaking notes" as the basis for its request for a derogation.  

He said that according to the Accession Treaty, Malta was not granted any derogation or opt-out on spring hunting.

Commission sources said that the issue is expected to be raised during a meeting between Environment Commissioner Stravos Dimas and Malta's Environment and Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino in Brussels tomorrow.  

Hunting in spring is not normally permitted in the EU, however the Maltese authorities are using a derogation, as allowed under the Birds Directive, to justify spring hunting. The report presented by Malta will be analysed by the Commission and a go-ahead has to be given in order for hunting to take place next spring.

The Commission has already stated it wants to see changes in the way spring hunting is conducted. Various pro-nature lobby groups and MEPs are lobbying the commission to outlaw spring hunting completely.