Hearing set for Wednesday

The European Court of Justice (ECJ) will hold an oral hearing in Luxembourg on Wednesday to hear the final submissions by lawyers representing the government and the Commission on the spring hunting issue.

The ECJ will then decide on whether to accept a request made by the EU executive last month to issue urgent interim measures barring Malta from opening the upcoming spring hunting season.

Government sources confirmed to The Times last night that the ECJ has decided to hold an oral hearing.

"The ECJ has informed the office of the Attorney General that it will be holding an oral hearing on Wednesday. It is not yet known whether the ECJ will issue its judgment immediately after this hearing or in the following days," the sources said.

Apart from the presentation of a "normal" case last February 25, requesting the court to declare as illegal the continuation of spring hunting in Malta, the Commission also demanded an urgent decision, known as interim measures, barring the Maltese authorities from allowing any hunting to take place during spring until a final ruling on the original case is delivered. If issued, the interim measures will come into force as from the coming season, technically expected to start by mid-April.

Malta submitted its case on March 7 and the Commission responded in writing this week.

According to ECJ procedures, a request for interim measures is decided by the court's president.