Richard N. Cassar, Attard
Nationalists' mixed signals on hunting
What a real muddle. While thanks to the EU and also to the steadfast campaigning by Alternattiva Demokratika and NGOs such as Birdlife, Friends of the Earth and Nature Trust - in spite of the insults and accusations of being traitors - hunting in spring has been banned and the countryside given back to all us Maltese people, the PN is sending mixed messages.
The government insists that it obtained a derogation for Malta to allow the practice of spring hunting; PN MP Philip Mifsud declared that the Nationalist government had promised in writing that spring hunting is here to stay.
PN European election candidate Edward Demicoli, on the other hand, seems to have forgotten that the EU has already stopped spring hunting as from January 1, 2009 and declares himself against the practice four years late, conveniently after others stuck their necks out when the going was tough.
Mr Demicoli conveniently forgets that while AD and environmental NGOs were sticking their necks out, for five years he and his boss at MIC, Simon Busuttil, were trying to negotiate a derogation on spring hunting.
Indeed, Mr Mifsud scolds Mr Demicoli in an article in The Times (January 22) and calls the latter's statement "cheap personal political mileage" while going on to say that the Nationalist Party is in favour of hunting in spring. Paul Borg Olivier confirms this. How confusing. A clear case of the PN trying to please everyone all the time.
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salvu abela
Jan 30th 2009, 16:59
@Richard N. Cassar,
A clear case of the PN trying to please everyone all the time.
I`am sorry that I have to say that you are going wrong, what you should have said is that the PN is trying to cheat and lie to everyone as if like as the Maltese saying goes " LI THOBB LIL ALLA U LIX-XITAN FLIMKIEN "
johny xerri
Jan 30th 2009, 15:40
Mixed signals, got that one right. The rest you got quite wrong, or else intentionally wrong.
The EU did not ban spring hunting. The EU imposed interim measures on spring hunting, in Malta only. Spain, the UK and other countries still hunt in spring.
If NGOs want respect they should oppose hunting, in spring all over the EU & not just in Malta. Are they afraid to speak up against the UK or Spain?
Maltese got the countryside back. Firstly hunters jointly own the public land, and secondly, most of the countryside that is banned for hunting is free most of the time, just go to busket & ta qali and you hardly see more than a few crowds spread all over the place. Over 40 nature reserves + 200 mtrs from any building isint enough for you? Someones greedy. Thirdly I still own my land so hunting or no hunting no body will be allowed in.
& toping up you must be really clever to favor a politician who cannot keep his word on a simple issue like hunting. So much for democracy.
Joe Camilleri
Jan 30th 2009, 11:40
All this fuss about spring hunting.
Other EU states allow it, and so should Malta since there is NO ALTERNATIVE. Serious ornithologists agree that the Autumn migration over Malta is slow.
The real muddle is when counting the same wagtails twice or thrice.
Anthony Formosa
Jan 30th 2009, 11:17
@ Richard N Cassar, can you please specify of what exactly do you mean by " the countryside given back to all us Maltese people " It seems that you're one of those that your main concern is the land that we privately own or that is managed and protected by FKNK, but not concerned about birds at all. However whether or no hunting in spring we will remain present in our countryside, and you or whoever think like you have no right to enter.
Yes there are, will continue to be mixed signals on this issue, from both sides, because we have been betrayed and deprived from our rights.
And please illuminate me for what AD and environmentalists were sticking their neck for? to reclaim my countryside that I purchased, to have funds for projects!!!. Why AD and the NGOs didn't oppose the introduction of plastic bottles? which a great detriment to our environment. Please stop using the environment.
Just today BBC world reported that in UK they want to shoot at least more 100,000 deer per year because of their impact to the environment and for the safety of drivers. Therefore hunting is a means of management.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Jan 30th 2009, 11:11
Mr. R.N. Cassar, allow me to state that you are the one in a “real muddle”! It would have been wiser had you informed yourself well before putting pen to paper, diving head first into a muddle in the process!
1. The countryside (with hunting or without) can never be given back to all Maltese people. It is only public countryside which you, me and all Maltese citizens have a right to enjoy. Private property does not belong to us. However, you are always free to invest in such rural property.
2. Wherever did you get your idea that “the EU has already stopped spring hunting as from January 1, 2009”??!!! ABSURD DECLARATION INDEED!! Is this the type of stuff the anti-hunting lobby base their arguments upon?!
The only thing I agree completely upon with you is that, yes, politicians are trying to “please everyone all the time”! It is now up to hunters to realise that written guarantees have served nothing and have been breached. How can politicians now expect that verbal promises will be taken seriously!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jan 30th 2009, 10:02
RichardCassar
Bird trapping has been stopped on January 1, 2009 and not spring hunting as you erroneously state.
MIC/PN did not negotiate any derogation for spring hunting. Any EU country can apply a derogation. This derogation is subject to renewal the following year after a report that is sent by the country derogating is evaluated by the EU Commission.
The PN/MIC only informed the EU that they would be using a derogation. This means that no "guarantee" was ever possible.
The PN deceived hunters into believing a guarantee was possible when it definitely is not.
THE PN KNEW EXACTLY WHAT IT WAS DOING ALL THE WAY.
After failing to send the necessary reports it is being taken to the ECJ for illegally opening the 2004/5/6 seasons. It sent a report for the2007 season and subsequently this coming season could theoretically open if the PN applies the derogation for this year.
The PN already said it would not open it as it awaits the 2010 ECJ decision. This is what their "GUARANTEE" is all about.
The ECJ is taking Malta to court for the PN's failure to comply with the derogation requirements.