13 NGOs call for spring hunting to be outlawed

Thirteen NGOs have issued a statement urging the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition to endorse the Birds Directive and outlaw spring hunting.

"What is particularly significant is the fact that these NGOs come from sectors that are not only environmental but also social and cultural," a BirdLife Malta spokesman told The Times.

As numerous polls have shown, the spokesman added, the majority of the people are against spring hunting.

The NGOs are Bicref (Malta), BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien Għal Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth, Gaia Foundation, Light Pollution Awareness Group, Malta Society of the Blind, Moviment Graffitti, Nature Trust, Oasi Foundation, Ramblers Association and SOS Malta.

The declaration follows another BirdLife initiative that roped in 13 personalities who also called on the leaders of the two main political parties to take a common stand and abolish the practice.

The NGOs reminded the party leaders of the European Commission's opinion that "alternative solutions to spring hunting exist, in this case the possibility to hunt the two species in the autumn".

The NGOs also noted that recent scientific studies showed that 43 per cent of Europe's bird species were threatened or are facing serious decline. These include Turtle Dove and the Common Quail.

The declaration noted that "Malta's insistence on allowing spring hunting and trapping of Turtle Doves and Quails has already become a European wide embarrassment for our country.

"One need only note that the European Parliament's resolution of March 15, 2007 is a very rare example of a member state being openly urged by a great majority of MEPs from the whole political spectrum to comply with EU law.

"We, therefore, appeal to you to avoid further embarrassment for our country and ask you to endorse the full implementation of the Birds Directive by outlawing spring hunting and trapping in 2008 and beyond."

Last week the European Commission formally asked the European Court of Justice (ECJ) to declare spring hunting illegal and issue an urgent decision, or interim measures, barring the Maltese authorities from allowing any hunting to take place during spring until a final decision by the ECJ.

Last week the Ornis Committee - entrusted with recommending to the Environment Minister whether the season should open - decided not to give its verdict in light of the pending court proceedings.

During two mass rallies held over the weekend, one in Victoria and another in Rabat, the hunters' federation said they wanted to go ahead with spring hunting and called on President Eddie Fenech Adami, who was Prime Minister when Malta negotiated the terms of EU membership, to intervene in this matter.

The hunters maintain that under those terms, spring hunting should be permitted.