Hunter's message proves there's more to a name

A message posted on the hunters' website proves wrong all those who casually ask: What's in a name?

The hunter who posted a message under the name Tuta on the Federation for Hunting and Conservation's website was evidently confused when he spotted the name of John Attard Montalto on a section of BirdLife Malta's website, where one can see the latest bird sightings.

"You know what, John Attard Montalto voted against the motion (against hunting) in the European Parliament. At least, that's how I understood it. But if one were to go on the BirdLife Malta website, you'd see his name alongside that of Saviour Balzan on the bird sightings page."

Actually, apart from John Attard Montalto, the Labour member of the European Parliament, there is another John Attard Montalto who is a member of BirdLife.

Speaking from Afghanistan, where he is on a work assignment on behalf of the European Parliament, the Labour MEP said he had received an e-mail about the matter and wanted to clear the air.

"I am the only Maltese MEP who has participated in discussions within the Intergroup for Animal Welfare where the Federation of European Hunters meet to discuss various issues.

"I have spoken in public about hunting on many occasions and have no problem reiterating the message here again. I believe hunters should have a right to practise hunting according to parameters established by law. But hunters have to realise that each time they shoot at protected birds they would effectively be shooting themselves in the foot," he said.

Dr Attard Montalto said last Thursday's resolution in the European Parliament had been diluted thanks to amendments moved by the Socialist group.

The European Parliament strongly urged the Commission to redouble its efforts to persuade the Maltese authorities to comply fully with Community law governing hunting. The resolution fell short of calling on the government to reconsider its recent decision on spring hunting, as it originally was meant to do.

Originally, the resolution, as tabled jointly by the Green and United for Europe of Nations (UEN) groups, included a key paragraph stating that the European Parliament "considers the decision by the government of Malta to authorise spring hunting and trapping against the public advice of the Commission regrettable and calls on the government of Malta to reconsider the decision".

"Having diluted the resolution, because I felt it was harmful for Malta, we could not vote against it," Dr Attard Montalto said.