Brussels applauds decision to close season

The government's decision on Thursday to abruptly close the spring hunting season has gone down well in Brussels.

The European Commission yesterday said it supports the government's tough stand but reiterated its position that spring hunting should not be allowed because it goes against EU law.

A Commission spokesman said: "The Commission welcomes the decision by the Maltese authorities to stop spring hunting earlier than anticipated.

"The prohibition of hunting is crucial at this time in order to allow birds to complete their migration and breed successfully."

The spokesman added that the Commission hopes that spring hunting will no longer be allowed.

"The Commission hopes this move by the Maltese authorities indicates recognition of their obligations under EU law and that spring hunting in future years will not be permitted, to ensure that the current infringement of the Birds Directive in relation to spring hunting may be closed."

The government's decision was taken following urgent consultations between Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Environment Minister George Pullicino after several incidents were reported on Wednesday, when, according to police reports, protected birds were shot down by hunters.

The government and the European Commission are at loggerheads over spring hunting. The EU executive insists that the government is not justified in allowing spring hunting based on a derogation permitted under the Birds Directive.

In a recent interview with The Times, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas made it clear that the continuation of spring hunting was a no-go area.

The government officially answered the Commission's first warning letter at the end of April. The Commission is still studying Malta's reply and is expected to take a decision on whether to move to the second stage of its legal proceedings shortly.

Commission sources said yesterday that if the government does not change its position and again allows hunting to take place in spring, the issue is likely to end up before the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg. The chairman of the European Parliament's Petitions Committee Marcin Libicki, who authored a report condemning spring hunting last year, yesterday welcomed the Environment Minister's decision as a step in the right direction.

"It remains, however, essential that the Maltese authorities follow through this decision with a clear commitment that there will be no more spring hunting next year, nor the year after, nor ever," he said.