The European Parliament has told Malta that we must comply with EU directives.
First of all our government has many times said it has negotiated an agreement with the EU so that we may continue to shoot in spring. Why is the EU picking on Malta? Perhaps because we are only a small nation. Why does the EU not have a good look at the "big" countries. Here are some quotes from the RSPB.
France:
• Southwest - several tens of thousands of ortolan buntings are illegally trapped each year and eaten as a delicacy. Hundreds of thousands of chaffinches and bramblings are also trapped.
• Medoc - illegal shooting of turtle doves occurs in May.
• Central south (Aveyron and Lozère) - thousands of thrushes and many protected species are illegally killed in tendelle traps, in which a balanced stone crushes the birds as they take the food bait.
• Ardèche - spring (February, March) hunting of woodpigeons, thrushes and starlings in the cols of the Ardèche, particularly Col de l'Escrinet.
• Southeast - traps (piège à machoire) for robins.
Spain:
• Spring shooting of pigeons, thrushes and woodcocks in February in Andalusia, Extremadura and Cantabria.
• In several regions, during the breeding season, hunting of woodpigeons, turtle doves and quails.
• In some regions, hunting of species not listed as those that can be legally hunted in Annex II of the directive; for example the spotless starling.
Italy:
• In the north of Italy, hundreds of thousands of traps are set illegally to catch small birds.
• Many rare birds are shot, including greater flamingos, black storks, ospreys and short-toed eagles.
And, of course, the commissioner's own country Greece:
• Heavy shooting in wetlands even during statutory bans in harsh weather.
• Use of illegal luring devices.
• Targeted hunting of protected species such as waterfowl and birds of prey.
• Bird trapping is still practised in several places.
And in the UK they shoot foxes and squirrels! Can you imagine, squirrels! Are these not beautiful creatures as well?
These are all countries that have voted against Malta.
So I suggest to these high and mighty people, sitting in their cosy chairs in Brussels, earning thousands of Euros, get your house cleaned first and stop picking on us.