Herman Grech
'God forbid' there is no spring hunting - FKNK
Birdlife receives 180 reports of illegal trapping or hunting since March 8
The hunters' federation said it could not rule out that some of its members could cause trouble if there is no spring hunting season this year.
Accusing the European Commission of making a U-turn on Malta's 'special' agreement on hunting, FKNK general secretary Lino Farrugia told The Sunday Times: "God forbid the hunting season doesn't open this spring!"
Asked if the hunters' federation was fearing trouble if spring hunting is stopped, Mr Farrugia said: "I do not rule out anything. Everybody is stunned by what is going on. Nobody can understand our love for hunting."
The European Commission has formally asked the 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 court.
The decision is expected in the first few days of April. The Ornis Committee decided not to pronounce itself in light of the pending court proceedings.
In the meantime, messages posted on the hunters' federation forum clearly show they are angry at the prospect of having to leave their shotguns at home in the coming weeks.
One message posted yesterday said: "On March 25, I will ignore (Gonzi) and I will be in my hunter's hide. And I declare that if I see a birdwatcher in my area, especially if he is a foreigner, he is in trouble. Don't touch hunting or you'll regret it."
Some said it was high time for hunters to hold street protests, while others called for boycotts.
In the meantime, the hunters' federation is organising a nationwide petition in a last ditch bid to stop the European Commission halting spring hunting.
The federation said that although a special arrangement exists between the Commission and Malta over hunting in spring - which already restricts hunting to turtle dove and quail - Brussels had started legal proceedings against Malta and was pressing for a ban.
Mr Farrugia said that though the Ornis Committee was meant to recommend the dates of the hunting season four weeks before the implementation date, the minister concerned may actually give the go-ahead himself. Since the new Cabinet was sworn in, the Prime Minister is directly responsible for the environment portfolio.
Mr Farrugia said Maltese hunters were being discriminated against, claiming that Slovakia (another EU state) was being permitted to hunt a particular species (woodcock) between March 15 and April 15.
When contacted, Birdlife executive director Tolga Temuge said it was evident that the different authorities were conveniently blaming Brussels.
He said the only agreement reached by Malta during the accession negotiations was a five-year transition period to phase out trapping of seven finch species by the end of 2008.
He said Malta was facing a court case not because the Commission had "changed its mind", but due to the lack of scientific evidence to substantiate the Government's claim that there were not enough Turtle Dove and Quail to hunt in both spring and autumn.
"This is not village politics - you don't get into the EU and then expect to do as you please," Mr Temuge said.
Mr Temuge claimed that Birdlife had received some 180 reports of illegal trapping and hunting since polling day on March 8.
"The FKNK has a responsibility to tell its members to abide by the law or else we're going to have anarchy... Once there is a declaration that spring hunting is banned, then anybody with a shotgun in the countryside should be considered as an armed criminal," he warned.
Mr Temuge said it would be political suicide for the Government to forge ahead with opening the spring hunting season, once the Commission had now made clear it was illegal. Besides, he said, the electorate was evidently against it.
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Robert Sultana
Mar 26th 2008, 21:07
Joseph Briffa,hope you don't have a swimming pool because if so come next summer i'll be knocking on your door for a swim and a couple of cold drinks, by right naturally seeing you're saying that you have the right to roam the countryside at will as nobody owns it !!!!! And I hope you won't be aggressive when telling me to leave or else !!!
Ray Orland
Mar 25th 2008, 11:27
Mr. Briffa,
Regarding the countryside, apart from the areas owned by government, we (hunters and trappers) spent thousands of pounds for buying fields, planting trees, arranging walls and much more just to practise our hobbies which originated decades of years ago. So, how can you, enter in my private area to enjoy the country side? Can't you go at any bird sanctuary like Buskett, San Anton, Ghadira and else where, as far as owned by government?
I regret to say that, with regards to the birds hunted, you are totally wrong. Hunters catch, finishes on the table for dinner, and maybe sometimes, the birds' skin is left to be stuffed instead of throwing it away.
Something else is that, between our hunting hobby and clay pigeon shooting, there's too much difference. The hunter place is in his field and not on a range...the word 'hunter' has its meaning in itself...the one who catches something....and if you shoot at clay, what can you catch? the tiny pieces left on the floor mabye?
D Camilleri
Mar 24th 2008, 22:53
God forbid there is spring hunting cause you and I might have to pay milions in fines, besides the govt ignoring the vast majority of the populations wishes and reason for voting for EU membership and ignoring EU law.
Are these people threatening the rest of the population ?- I guess thats what they meant by LIBERATE YOUR COUNTRYSIDE - and yes illegal hunting has already started, even in Mriehel -
I suggest have ALE number handy and report these illegalities and show these people that the good old days are over and they obey the law LIKE EVERYBODY ELSE - we owe it to those 300000 dead stuffed protected species they registered
PHONE ALE 21224001 OR 21235761
ALE GOZO 21562040
Joseph E Briffa
Mar 24th 2008, 17:05
Mr Orland..I am totally against the letting of petards at all times of the day or night. As for hunting, I am not against it on principle, but I am all against so-called uneducated 'hunters' who patronise the countryside and have no respect for ramblers who have every right to enjoy the countryside and the birds. No man owns the countryside or the birds. Therefore the more restrictions are imposed on the times and hours of hunting the better for everybody. After all what do hunters do with the birds they kill..they just stuff them: is this conservation or destruction? Can't they shoot clay pigeons instead and does prove their shooting skills?
Chris Psaila
Mar 24th 2008, 15:12
Hunting has already started, illegally, in Birzebbuga. Where are the authorities to enforce the law? It seems there is no need for the season to be legally open. The hunters still do as they please!
TIme for action from the police.
Ray Orland
Mar 24th 2008, 09:42
Mr. Barbara/Mr. Briffa,
I totally disagree with both of you. You don't even try to understand our hobby. With all the respect, on the way you're acting against the hunting practise, why don't you act the same on the fireworks hobby?
1) It is much a bigger threating for the lives of those involved; 2) when fired, leaving that dust in the air, more pollution 3) As we can read daily articles, there are lots of illegalities; 4) And if you form part of those so called 'birdlovers', why don't you ever thought about the nesting of birds...at the time fireworks are let out, it is always in the late hours of the day, when the birds are resting on their nests, when at a point in time, they hear that frightening bombs above there heads....forget the freshly laid eggs and prosperous chicks...
Joseph Briffa
Mar 23rd 2008, 20:49
'What a relief that would be' say the happy birds flying in peace and complete freedom? So say96% of the population who would be able to roam the countryside without feeling threatened by some gun-toting arrogant and aggressive 'sportsmen' in camouflage outfits and told to leave the RTOs or else. And what a tragedy that would be to those so-called 'conservationists' who destroy nature and seem to be incapable of doing anything else. When will these people start learning to do something worthwhile? And doesn't the association realise that these so-called hunters have antagonised the rest of the population by their unsavoury behaviour? And isn't it about time that they started practising their pastime in a responsible manner? What is their association doing to guide its members to act responsibly and respect the laws, thereby attracting the support of the people at large? Is it possible that it is not aware that some members are a disgrace and are doing irreparable harm to their fellow hunters who respect the laws, to such an extent that 'hunting' has become a dirty word?
Chris Barbara
Mar 23rd 2008, 14:33
What the politicians need to realise now is that the vast majority of the population would be very happy to see hunting banned altogether. If politicians really want to attract votes, they'd better appease the majority calling for a ban on hunting. The attitude of many hunters is harming not only the residents who enjoy the countryside, but also the country's reputation as a unique eco-tourism destination...
Kenneth Cassar
Mar 23rd 2008, 13:45
Threats did not work prior to the recent elections. What makes the FKNK think that they will work this time around, when the next election is 5 years away? Get over it...