Hunters suspend ultimatum

The hunters' federation has suspended its ultimatum to the government, expressing cautious optimism that conditions for spring hunting this year will remain unchanged.

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation said it did not feel the need to give directives to its members yet, since there is reason to believe hunters will shortly be given what is rightly theirs.

"By nature, I'm never optimistic, but I'm certain there are enough valid reasons to ensure this tradition will remain untouched," federation secretary Lino Farrugia, told The Times yesterday.

The federation had given the government a deadline until yesterday to announce the opening of the hunting and trapping seasons, warning that hunters would take to the streets if need be.

It has not set a fresh deadline, saying it would await the outcome of a meeting of the Ornis committee, which makes recommendations to the government on the timing of the hunting and trapping seasons.

The Environment Ministry had countered the hunters' threat by arguing that the opening of the seasons would be discussed at the Ornis committee meeting on February 26.

Hunters and trappers have opted out of the committee meetings since last November claiming the committee cannot function properly given the existing hunting regulations.

The federation had said hunters were confused over what is permissible at law, giving rise to squabbles with the police.

Mr Farrugia said several messages and phone calls were relayed to the Environment Ministry in the past week to try and hammer out a deal. While pointing out that the government was fully aware of its political commitments, he did not give details.

Mr Farrugia did not exclude the hunters' return to the Ornis Committee but requested that the meeting be brought forward, given the proximity with the traditional opening of the trapping season on March 1.

He admitted that several hunters were putting great pressure on the federation to organise protests, and acknowledged that some hunters were prepared to go to extremes over spring hunting.

"I know they won't take it lying down and if need be, we will organise demonstrations, but I believe our appeals to the ministry are being heeded.

"We know we're not being ignored. We've provided enough scientific and socio-cultural information to yield fair regulations, including the permission for spring hunting."

The wave of protests against hunting from thousands of individuals across Europe was down to misinformation and lies, he claimed.

"Go tell the Spaniards to stop bull-fighting. The bottom line is we live in a small country," he charged.

He claimed that newspapers like The Times banned pro-hunting letters.

The newspaper has published a number of such letters.

Asked what stand the federation would adopt if the government bans spring hunting in line with EU demands, Mr Farrugia replied: "I don't even want to think about it. If it does so, the government would be showing weakness."

The government should use the derogation granted by Article 9 of the Birds Directive to permit spring hunting, even if the EU maintains that this regulation is not being interpreted properly, he maintained.

Though hunters are putting pressure on the government to open the seasons, the European Commission has made it clear it expects no hunting to take place this spring.

When contacted, a spokesman for the environment ministry said contact with the hunters' federation was made in the context of last week's statement and reiterated that discussions should take place within the Ornis Committee.

However, he ruled out the possibility of bringing forward the date of the committee meeting.