Hunters propose sweeping changes to regulations

Hunters want to be allowed to catch their prey closer to habitable areas, according to a request the hunters' federation will today submit to the Ornis Committee.

In a document seen by The Times, the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi, Nassaba u Konservazzjonisti (FKNK) will say that the 200-metre limit for hunting from residential areas should be reduced to 100 metres, claiming "the country is getting smaller".

The seven-page document has incensed BirdLife Malta, which calls this and other proposals a defiance of both EU and national laws on hunting and trapping. In reality, the document proposes drastic changes to the incendiary and much-discussed hunting regulations.

For example, the FKNK suggests that the federation itself should appoint marshals to report illegal activities directly to the hunters' board that may, at its own discretion, decide to pass on the report to the police. The idea is to create a system of "self-regulation".

The fines introduced by the government earlier this year should be revised to reflect "the seriousness of the case", especially since it was now clear that they had not served to curb illegal hunting.

The FKNK says that the composition of the Ornis Committee, a consultative body that advises the government on issues relating to hunting and bird protection, should become more "balanced" and that it should not shoulder certain responsibilities. It should not be up to the committee, for example, to recommend to the minister the opening and closing dates for hunting. The committee should adopt more of a scientific, rather than administrative role.

In reference to land hunting, the FKNK wants the season to be open from August 20 to January 30, as well as for a "short" spring season to hunt for turtle dove and quail. It further proposes that hunting at sea be permissible after 1 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays.

Malta is in trouble with the European Commission for persistently permitting spring hunting, with the two sides giving contrasting interpretations of whether this is permitted under EU law. The last spring season was cut short by the government after a wave of illegal hunting, a move that was applauded by the Commission and slammed by the federation.

In its position paper, FKNK also asks for trapping to be allowed after the end of 2008. Malta had negotiated in advance of its EU accession a "transition period" during which Malta would be phasing out trapping by the end of 2008.

The federation wants to eliminate the need for a licence to anybody who wants to become a taxidermist. It also suggests that birds which are unprotected in their country of origin may also be stuffed.

BirdLife Malta is in disbelief over the hunters' proposals. President Joseph Mangion said: "It's about time that law abiding hunters are represented by people who respect national and European laws and other people's right to enjoy the countryside as much as they care about their 'past-time'."

The organisation accused the hunters' federation of trying to strip the public of its right to have its voice heard by attempting to relegate the Ornis Committee to an administrative role, with no influence on decisions on hunting regulations.

Not only were FKNK's demands a statement of its intentions to bulldoze any restrictions to hunting activities that were resulting in the merciless killing of protected species, but they were a declaration of its disrespect for law enforcement measures designed to ensure sustainable hunting practices, BLM said.

Allowing the FKNK to be responsible for deciding what constitutes an illegal activity was unacceptable and smacked of anarchy.

BirdLife also drew attention to the fact that BirdLife International and FACE, the European Hunters Federation, (of which FKNK is a member) came to an agreement in October 2004 in which it was stated that: "Both organisations recognise that the Birds Directive is an appropriate legal instrument for the conservation of both wild birds and their habitats at a favourable conservation status at EU level."

BirdLife added that FKNK's disregard of its own agreements as well as national and European law called into question its position as a "legitimate" member of the Ornis Committee.

When contacted, FKNK secretary Lino Farrugia confirmed that the federation will be submitting a series of proposals today.

"However, I find it very unethical for BirdLife to circulate our proposals when these have not even been discussed with our members. I don't think the Ornis chairman will like this," Mr Farrugia protested.