Monday, 30th June 2008
Hunters accuse BirdLife of scaremongering, lack of scruples
The Federation for Hunting and Conservation - Malta (FKNK) has accused BirdLife representatives on the Ornis Committee of leaking and criticising confidential information about an item that will be at the top of the agenda in Thursday's meeting of the committee.
The item concerns proposals made by the federation primarily for the establishment of the autumn and winter hunting and trapping open seasons. BirdLife representatives, yet again, are attempting to scare the government through fabrications, by stating that the FKNK proposals are in direct violation of Malta's EU Accession Treaty agreement, FKNK said. The federation said it now awaits the reactions of the Ornis Committee chairman with regard to BirdLife representatives' "unscrupulous actions".
It also hopes that the government will seriously consider the integrity of the representatives when appointments to the committee are made. Contrary to BirdLife's claims, the FKNK insisted that its proposals are not in conflict with EU directives and regulations. The proposals genuinely reflect what is adequate for local conditions and what the Maltese hunters and trappers are now deserving of, following the unjust and unfair hardship they have had to endure in recent years.
The Maltese government should decisively stand up to BirdLife's bullying, and have the political backbone to legislate as necessary. It should not be afraid to exercise its right as an EU Member State and apply any derogations from the EU Birds Directive since these are essential for the good of the Maltese citizens, the federation maintained.
On Saturday, BirdLife revealed that hunters were seeking an extension to the season for hunting at sea coinciding with the spring migration of ducks, for their boats not to be constrained by a speed limit, and for the continuation of trapping in 2009, as well as the trapping of five new species in autumn.
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Comments
In all your honesty you perfectly explain " the the interests of a selfish and generally exceedingly unpopular minority." People of your ideals normally originate from the "bottomless pit" you mentioned.
Government is defending what it negotiated. If you are seriously concerned about the spending of our Government and the rise in the fuel surcharge, investing in candles might ease your burden.
Mr. Williams if the Government has any cash to spare forget any further subsidies as the EU does not permit any. However if it's any consolation our Government has a right to use its' (our) money to defend any case where the interference of citizens like yourself have made it necessary. Your selfish comment only serves to strengthen Governments right to do so.
This is particularly relivant at the moment as tomorrow we are to be told our fuel surcharge is going to be- at least DOUBLED?..and possibly MORE in the near future.
Any spare cash the government [ i.e.we ] may have, should be used to minimise this impact on a cost of living already going into orbit,rather than throwing it into a bottomless pit of lost causes in the interests of a selfish and generally exceedingly unpopular minority.
Governemnt should realize that the hunting issue cannot be improved if this scaremongering persists. Proper legislation backed by proper enforcement is what is needed.
Societies such as Birdlife can never be considered as being of any worthy contribution where hunting is concerned. Their aim is not to allow hunting no matter what they state to the contrary.
The Ornis committee is a non starter, since being a hunting regulatory board it regulates hunting on birds that are legally shot. Birdlife have no connection with hunting. Their efforts should be directed at controlling the illegal shooting of protected species. Their involvement in deciding hunting matters can only cause obstacles to those that wish to regulate and practice legal hunting. (Government included) This case is a perfect example!!