Ornis Committee approves autumn hunting

The Ornis Committee has recommended to the government that hunting be allowed in the autumn.

It said that hunting from land should take place between September 1 and January 31.

Trapping of finches will be allowed between October 1 and December 31, that of turtle dove and quail will be allowed between September 1 and January 31 and song thrush and golden plover between October 20 and January 10.

A request by the Federation for Hunting & Conservation to allow the trapping of lapwing and other thrushes' species was not accepted. The FKNK said it will now take this proposal to a higher level, since all these species are listed on Annex II of the 'Birds' Directive, and thus huntable.

Hunting at sea will be allowed between October 1 and January 31. The FKNK was requested to supply
further scientific evidence to substantiate its call to have February added to this open season period as is the case in certain other EU Member States.

Similarly FKNK's request to have these Autumn/Winter seasons entrenched in national legislation, as is the norm in all other EU Member States and as is required by the Birds Directive, will also have to be decided by the Prime Minister, the federation said.

Comments

Damian Gouder (on 4/7/08)

Yes so why not just let birdlife run the whole country!!!!! there is also a place for hunters here in Malta whether birdlife and its allies like it or not. Being appointed on a government board maintaining confidentiality and following basic ethical considerations should be the norm rather than the exception. This includes also birdlife members.

Franco Farrugia (on 4/7/08)

Whatever BirdLife chooses to do is for the common good, and therefore I see no harm in it. On the contrary, the hunters / trappers are wrong and we all know that the Ornis is in general in favour of the status quo and in favor of what is politically expedient.

Andrew Gat (on 4/7/08)

Just for the record..........................since this sort of behaviour and these sneaky tactics are rarely publicised. U dejjem jilaghabuha tal-imsieken u l-vittmi.

"It also has to be reported that on commencement of the meeting, the BirdLife (Malta) members on the Committee, Mr. Joe Mangion and Dr. Andre Raine, were seriously reprimanded by the Committee Chairman for having yet again publicly leaked and also criticized confidential agenda material before such material was discussed at the relative Committee meeting. The BirdLife members were also reminded that the Attorney General himself had warned against such unethical behaviour by persons appointed on similar government bodies."