Malta defies EU on spring hunting

Spring hunting has once again been given the go-ahead, though the government has imposed tougher penalties for illegal hunting.

The contentious decision was described by BirdLife as "scandalous and farcical" and by the hunters' federation as unsurprising and too long in coming.

The decision was taken following an Ornis Committee meeting yesterday afternoon, during which BirdLife Malta officials walked out in protest.

The government agrees with the recommendation of the Ornis Committee for the spring hunting and trapping seasons to open, the ministry of the environment said in a statement yesterday. In the coming days, the government will be looking into the recommendations by the Ornis Committee about the dates of the two seasons and the decision will be published in the coming days, the statement added.

At a news conference last night, Environment Minister George Pullicino said the government was merely abiding by the mandate given to it in the EU referendum, in which the Maltese voted to join the EU.

Malta is the only EU country which permits spring hunting for two bird species, as the government applies a derogation as permitted under Article 9 of the Birds Directive. Every year, however, Malta has to justify the derogation, which is allowed only if it is proven that there is no other alternative.

The European Commission opened an infringement process against Malta last June after the government failed to justify its decision to open the spring hunting season for three consecutive years - since it joined the EU in 2004.

The government has said it intends to fight its corner at the European Court of Justice.

BirdLife said it decided to walk out of the meeting after Ornis chairman Louis Cilia clearly stated that the decision to open the spring hunting season had already been taken by the government and all the committee was asked to do was to recommend to the minister the dates and conditions.

The committee recommended to the minister that hunting of quail may be permitted between April 1 and May 10 and of turtle dove between April 10 and May 20. The spring season was previously allowed between March 25 and May 22.

In an attempt to thwart illegal hunters, however, the Cabinet yesterday decided to double the fines for those breaching the laws. Offenders will now face a minimum fine of Lm100 and the confiscation of the licence. Hunting during the closed season will be considered an aggravated offence.

Upon a second conviction, hunters may face fines up to Lm4,000 and a minimum two-month prison sentence.

When a person is caught hunting and his licence has been permanently revoked, he shall be liable to a fine of not less than Lm3,000. Other hefty penalties apply.

In the coming days, Mr Pullicino plans to hold further meetings to beef up police enforcement.

The minister downplayed the significance of the EU's infringement proceedings, saying the process leading to a possible fine from the European Court was a lengthy one.

Still, the government intended to justify its position through a report, which it has commissioned through a "reputable" European institute. No date for its completion was given.

The minister, who made it clear that he personally opposed hunting, said he hoped that the international outcry against hunting in Malta was not merely down to its size.

"Hunting abuses are easily noted in Malta, and in other countries they're not," he told a news conference, for which a hunters' representative was present.

Speaking to reporters earlier, BLM president Joseph Mangion said the Ornis Committee was not in a position to recommend a decision on spring hunting before discussing the infringement proceedings that the EU had opened against Malta.

"The government has still not given a scientific basis as to why it should open the spring hunting season," Mr Mangion protested.

He said the matter has now gone beyond the conservation of birds and claimed that the hunting issue has become nothing more than an electoral ploy to win votes.

Mr Mangion said that while the government was constantly caving in to the hunters' demands, it was seemingly unaware that the environment lobby was also becoming vociferous. "We're going to keep Brussels informed that illegal hunting will once again be permitted. After today we may expect the European Commission to be much harsher on Malta.

"A small group of bullies continue to hijack the island with the blessing of politicians ready to put at stake the quality of life of Maltese citizens and their environment," Mr Mangion charged.

An evidently satisfied Joe Perici Calascione, the hunters' federation public relations officer, said it was not surprising that the government had ultimately abided by the derogation it had negotiated with the EU.

"I can't understand why we had to engage in such long discussions to take certain decisions," he said.

Despite his request, hunters' federation general secretary Lino Farrugia was not allowed into the meeting since he is not an Ornis member. He was, however, allowed to the meeting towards the end "to clarify some matters."