Full text of European Court's hunting decision

Albert Gauci Cunningham

Apr 26th 2008, 20:30

If Mr.Formosa has a chip on his shoulder about the E.U's decision he should leave gay ppl out of it...............at the risk of sounding more pathetic than anyone else on this blog!!!!!!!!!!!!

Alex Ellul

Apr 25th 2008, 23:15

"100% by right "... Is this how you talk and think. Do birds have at least 1% right to live? How about some rights to the great majority who prefer watching a live bird rather than a lead-loaded dead one? Let's see how it goes next Autumn and count the number of dead protected bird species? We've seen too many in the past. You have to change your ways for your hobby to survive.

Joseph Agius.

Apr 25th 2008, 20:10

It is a most welcome decision. It should be even extended to cover other species of migratory birds and also make the decision permanent. The ECJaand the Govt. should not be held at ransom by a small percentage of the population who assume they have the last word.

Clifford Williams

Apr 25th 2008, 19:42

Congratulations ECJ! This decision was long overdue, but better late than never!

Antoine Grima

Apr 25th 2008, 17:51

Mr Ellul , we have not even conceded spring , and there you are, already threatening to blackmail the government about the autumn migration. I thought some of the hunters were the bad guys , but it seems to me that a few heroes like yourself are the reason for all this . Lying , cheating and blackmailing is the name of the game . Wake up Sunday morning , go to Mass and all will be forgotten . The more people like yourself i come across , the more i will fight on . One more thing Mr Ellul , so it's not ok for hunters to break the law , but it's ok for you to blackmail the government ? Like it or not we are here to stay .

Daniel Bonello

Apr 25th 2008, 16:29

Dear Mr Ellul

Whilst agreeing that EVERYBODY irrespective of being hunters or not, are to respect the law of the land, may I remind you that the Autumn Hunting Season is 100% by right and completely legitimate.

May I also remind you that private land will still remain private and all those who wish to fully enjoy Maltese countryside will have to stick to public land!

It is a shame that the Maltese have become so vulnerable to the glowing light of a dozen of stars! The same union which did not have the decency to publish our island on the EURO notes.

Alex Ellul

Apr 25th 2008, 16:05

Anthony Formosa: What do abortion and gay marriages have to do with the hunting issue? I am an anti-hunting lobbyist and highly critical of abortion, gay marriages (not gays as persons and whatever gays do in their private lives because that's their business). You are clutching at straws. The ECJ and the Council of Europe are two totally separate entities. The ECJ has done what the Maltese politicians should have done ages ago but were afraid of your votes. Now the worm has turned. If hunters keep on hunting illegally, they will eventually lose the Autumn hunt too because we will do what you have done in the past and will blackmail our politicians into banning the Autumn hunting season for our votes. So you'd better abide by the laws of the land, but it seems that you cannot.

Keith Chircop

Apr 25th 2008, 15:02

@ Jeremy Camilleri:

The hunters have known for ages they were duped by PN. Did this make them vote MLP? No.

Nyal Xuereb

Apr 25th 2008, 14:01

This effectively confirms that the Maltese govt. took everyone for a ride: the hunters when it promised in writing that the hunting on turtle dove and quail will never be stopped; the environmentalists for repeatedly saying that a derogation has been agreed; and the general public for constantly stating that all was well and there was nothing wrong. I think this is the first time all of the Maltese citizens have been lied to.

paul A. Camilleri

Apr 25th 2008, 13:28

I fully agree with Stephen Baldacchiono, this Verdict will eventually cause alot of problems within the E.U. as other members can have their agreements taken away by the ECJ if it sees fit. What happened yesterday ( Court Ruling ) is that the ECJ took away 1 agreement out of 77 which was agreed by the E.U. and the Government of Malta, way back before entering the DICTATOR BLOCK. Once a contract is not honoured by either side then there is no contract at all. I am going to do everything in my power (as a Maltese citizen) to gather as much Signatures as possible both from the Hunters Federation and all other walks of life.
This will not be presented to the Maltese Government but to the European Parliament directly.
Shame on our MEP s. as they had no gumption to stand up and act the part they are meant to. But by the looks of things, they count the days and pray for the end of the month, to pick up their SALARIES.

Anthony Formosa

Apr 25th 2008, 12:10

So Mr Ellul,
As from now on we are civilized, the only civilized country in the world, and when abortion will be legalized we will be more civilized, and when divorce, same sex marriage, and drugs are also be legalized, then they will call us the island of paradise not to forget the millions of doves in our gardens. How pathetic one can be.

joe attard

Apr 25th 2008, 12:07

Well Done This is one of the reasons wht we loined Europe. may we never have hunting whatever the season.

Long Live Life

Benjamin Sant

Apr 25th 2008, 12:01

Thank you EU, thanks for being able to deliver a decision which our govt was unable to take for more than a decade..Isnt it why we joined EU after all

Well done!!!! Now whats next can they free up our beaches from the boat houses? i think we better speak to the EU directly

Andy Towler

Apr 25th 2008, 11:39

@ James Mizzi & Alex Ellul: well said.
@ Everyone: if you value the survival of wildlife over selfish, senseless and destructive violence, add your voice of support.

Mark Grech

Apr 25th 2008, 11:38

Why is it necessary to have the EU to help us implement what should have been done decades ago? Why are we so childish, immature and indisciplined? Our political parties are ruining this country and need to develop the guts to impose some discipline. Sometimes I wonder if we are really mature enough to run this country.

Angelo Gatt

Apr 25th 2008, 11:34

E.U.= YESFOR ABORTION & NO FOR HUNTING. SHAME.

Edward Farrugia

Apr 25th 2008, 11:11

Eu closed hunting spring season but in replacement soon it will open abortion season. As Alex Ellul said, Welcome home civilization.

Nyal Xuereb

Apr 25th 2008, 11:05

This effectively confirms that the Maltese govt. took everyone for a ride: the hunters when it promised in writing that the hunting on turtle dove and quail will never be stopped; the environmentalists for repeatedly saying that a derogation has been agreed ; and the general public for constantly stating that all was well and there was nothing wrong. I think this is the first time all of the Maltese citizens have been lied to.

Liam Borg

Apr 25th 2008, 10:48

Remember the political maxim in election campaigns. It is a cardinal rule for all parties and candidates: Anything for a vote!

Joe Micallef

Apr 25th 2008, 10:47

Kenneth, you might be right! but that is why an urgent explanation is required.....at least to those who consider this as a serious problem beyond just the hunting issue.

Kevin Manduca

Apr 25th 2008, 10:41

@ Jeremy Camilleri: Very well said!!.....

Kenneth Cassar

Apr 25th 2008, 10:31

Joe Micallef, maybe it is just that Birdlife is either more efficient or less reluctant to give the information.

Jeremy J Camilleri

Apr 25th 2008, 10:24

Having been a vegetarian for 25 years for concientious purposes, I consider hunting to be cruel and barbaric. That puts me firmly in the anti-hunting lobby.
However, one cannot but note the way in which hunters have been duped!

After promising them practically everything under the sun, the end result is what it is!
It is sad to see so many people, be they hunters, or any other group for that matter, being misinformed in such a way!

Whilst I am happy that at last one can enjoy the country side in Spring, I think other groups should take note before believing our learned politicians many mistruths.

Some people will promise you anything until they get what you can give....

Alex Ellul

Apr 25th 2008, 09:39

"..and they shall beat their swords into ploughshares, and spears into pruning hooks".. and their double barreled shotguns into binoculars. Welcome home civilisation.

Joe Micallef

Apr 25th 2008, 09:35

What I find appalling and extremely worrying about this judgment is that apparently Birdlife had access to information before the government. If this is true this is a very serious issue and I believe a clear explanation by the ECJ is urgently due. This is more serious in the light of what the Commission had stated were the sources of information upon which its case was made!!!!

James Mizzi

Apr 25th 2008, 08:51

Great new for the birds. Let them fly!

stephen Baldacchino

Apr 25th 2008, 08:43

We went Back in time the only difference is that we were told what to do by the English and now by 23 countries. Good deal