In your report of Alternattiva Demokratika's press conference (The Sunday Times, May 27) chairman Harry Vassallo and his environment spokesman Ralph Cassar state that the European Union prohibits hunting in spring and that spring hunting breaches EU rules.
Nothing can be further from the truth. This matter has been discussed ad nauseam but since their vote-grabbing exercise also entails the spreading of untruths, we feel we should speak out again for the benefit of the uninformed.
Council Directive 79/409/EEC, better known as 'The Birds Directive' allows derogations to all member states for several reasons. The time of year when such a derogation can be applied varies according to the particular circumstances of the member state. Can AD deny that the UK exercises its right for derogation under article 9 "to prevent serious damage to crops" and hunts "pest species" 365 days a year, including spring.
In Malta's circumstances, Government is applying this derogation for spring hunting for these specific valid reasons:
Article 9 states: "Member states may derogate from the provisions of Articles 5, 6, 7 and 8 where there is no other satisfactory solution. Article 7 concerning "wise use" also states that "low level of takings are likely to have little effect on spring population size".
This derogation is also possible where only small numbers of the species are taken. This directive considers small numbers to be in the region of "one per cent of the total annual mortality of the population" of the species concerned. In our case, turtle dove and quail. Malta's average catch ever since records were taken is around 0.0028 per cent.
There is no denying that these reasons for a derogation are valid. As the son of a hunter, Harry Vassallo would agree that through his personal observations while out hunting dove and quail with his father, autumn does not offer a satisfactory solution and that the number of dove and quail taken are indeed insignificant. If as stated "his party has always been honest with them" (the hunters), he should be the first to admit that this reasoning is valid. However admission would not suit his party's stand.
Dr Vassallo also refers to the threat of the FKNK to withdraw the clause about political neutrality from its statute and considers this as "trying to hold Malta hostage". He mentions the current confusion within the Nationalist Party on the opening of the spring 2008 hunting season.
He also states that the Labour Party was useless, as it only spoke vaguely about the issue. Yet he proclaims his party's honesty towards hunters in that it has always opposed spring hunting. Unfortunately for his party this honesty hasn't brought about the desired effect from the anti-hunters votes.
As he stated, the hunting issue has been politically messed up beyond belief. Yet in all his honesty he fails to mention his party's involvement in bringing about this situation. I am quoting from a document issued by the European Greens Sixth Council Meeting in Berlin between March 16-18 entitled 'Adopted Resolution on Spring Hunting in Malta':
"The positive outcome of the resolution is the result of the constant and continuous hard work of AD, Malta's Green Party, which, ever since 1990 has been constantly working on this issue, in collaboration with the Green Group in the EP, with national Green parties in Europe and various NGOs in Europe and in Malta."
In the current situation, it is no wonder that hunting associations are considering allegiance with any political party that treats the matter decently, properly and consistently. If hunters' votes will bring about the desired effect, so be it.
AD might be missing their golden opportunity, unless, of course, considering their anti-hunting stand did not deliver votes, Dr Vassallo decides to take up hunting.