Spring hunting cases against Malta and Finland cannot be compared - FKNK
The only parallel between the spring hunting court instituted by the European Commission against Malta and the Aaland islands case, against Finland, is that in the pre-accession period both countries were promised that their traditional spring hunting would continue, the FKNK said.
It added that in the post-accession period both countries’ governments and the EU reneged on their guarantees.
The hunting organisation said in a statement that the contention was that the two cases were not just being compared but paralleled.
The FKNK said that in 2003 the Malta/EU Information Centre made an unequivocal stand in printed fact sheets and flyers sent to each hunter’s and trapper’s household, to explain how their traditional passions would be safeguarded on EU membership.
MIC deputy head Edward Demicoli, now a PN MEP candidate, was on the forefront to convey this message to hunters and trappers.
The irony of the situation, FKNK said, was that in his campaign launch, Mr Demicoli publicly stated that he would “serve” Malta by making sure that the Maltese socio-cultural traditions of spring hunting and trapping would remain banned from the Maltese islands.
Spring hunting and trapping were banned for the first time in Malta’s history by a ruling of the Court of Justice of the European Communities for the spring of 2008. A final decision for the 2004 to 2006 is pending. The FKNK said that the excuse being used by Mr Demicoli and others was the “Finland Case Parallel”.
Malta’s case, the FKNK said, had no parallel with Aaland’s. Malta was not contesting spring hunting of seven species, but of two and, unlike the Aaland birds, Malta’s two species were widespread and prolific, with European populations reaching up to a combined total of approximately 28,000,000 specimens.
These two species are both listed under the taxon “Least Concern” on the Red Data list of the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Moreover, the nature of Malta’s topography was completely different from that of Aaland.
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L..Galea
Mar 7th 2009, 08:44
Chris Finch
I am no hunter or trapper, but what the hunters and trappers were promised must be delivered. They were deceived before the referendum, both by the local politicants and by the eu because the eu knew what they were being promised and did not deny it. Therefore it was a party to the conspiracy. If other countries allow trapping and hunting then yes, Maltese hunters and trappers should be allowed to hunt and trap, otherwise we are truly second class citizens.
I am not the least surprised by the eu deceit because that is what it has been doing to everyone in all member countries. Example Jose Maria Gil-Robles Former President of the European Parliament said that,
"We should create an 'own resource' for the Union in the form of a direct income tax, independent of nationality" Daily Telegraph, 25th October 1998
Weren't we told that the eu doesn't interfere in taxes?
"I have never understood why public opinion about European ideas should be taken into account." Raymond Barre Former French Prime Minister.
"The Europe of Maastricht could only have been created in the absence of democracy". Clause Cheysson Former French Foreign Secretary
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 6th 2009, 19:31
Mr. Finch, you never cease to amaze me with your baseless arguments and with your hatred towards anything connected with hunting and trapping. I urge you to inform yourself better regarding what you are commenting upon. You will then realise how unfounded your comments are.
p.calleja
Mar 6th 2009, 18:13
People are starting to understand that hunters and trappers have been betrayed all out. Slowly the truth is coming out. Only the extremists find all type of excuses against these 2 hobbies. How can birdlife say that the turtle dove and quail are endangered if hunted in spring in Malta???? When there are more than 28 million birds!!!!!!! Or say that trapping endangers the 7 finches?? When all of these finches are listed as LEAST CONCERN ?????
Well, there is only one answer..........someone is a liar and everyone knows who!!!!!
J. Borg
Mar 6th 2009, 17:06
Spring hunting? "Socio-Cultural" perverted claim?
Without going into the "avian" dimension
It simply means:
The appropriation of the countryside by egoistic people who cannot quell their lust to kill birds, and this when the countryside in Malta is at its best.
Having such relatively large area - in such a restricted but overpopulated country - being made accessible only on Sunday afternoons, simply due to the spoilt excesses of a couple of hundred supposedly adults - is the worst kind of social and/or cultural behaviour.
If traditionally such people and their leaders had the better of our feeble political class, one hopes that now the EU will shake such nonesense into place.
As to the cries of having been deceived by local politicians & EU IC - it can suit some to let themselves been deceived, simply to hear what they want to.
AD the Green Party had spelt out what the Birds Directive entailed. However those who should have known better and/or knew better but kept their members chasing hope, should not expect any better.
Nonetheless, they are free to sue anyone personally, if they believe they have a case.
Chris Galea
Mar 6th 2009, 16:50
@Chris Finch
You cannot compare Malta with Finland's,ours are just two species - turtle dove and quail,and Finland's are seven different species of ducks(waterfowl),so you simply cannot compare us with them.
Chris Galea
Mar 6th 2009, 16:32
I'm stunned how there's only ONE comment regarding this article,usualy there would be dozens of comments when it comes to spring hunting,is it cause maybe it's saying nothing but the dirty truth ? !!
Chris Finch
Mar 6th 2009, 14:59
So, if you can't compare Malta and Finland, then you also can't compare Malta to Spain, Italy and wherever else you want just because it suits your message like it did in the billboards.
marco meli
Mar 6th 2009, 14:38
Well done FKNK!!!!!! Why not take those who promised us everything to court!!!! they should adhere to their promises and guarantees they made us before the election!!! let's copy birdlifemalta with her case with mepa and sue them all!!!!