Ornis committee meets, no decision on Spring hunting

M. Cardona

Mar 11th 2009, 13:13

One simple question; SINCE WHEN HAS BIRDLIFE MALTA BECOME THE OFFICIAL SPEAKER OF THE ORNIS COMMITTEE?

One other simple question; DOES THIS IMPLY THAT BIRDLIFE MALTA IS NOW THE EFFECTIVE POLICY MAKER?

Any answers would be most welcome!

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 10th 2009, 20:03

Could Mr. Stavros Dimas please enlighten us as to why he stayed silent when the Maltese Government was guaranteeing that the EU had accepted Malta's position re Spring Hunting and assured hunters and trappers that they will continue to practise their traditional pastime? Are his words to be taken as meaning that the EU is a dictatorship?

BirdLife, we are accustomed to your usual accusations. If you have indeed received reports that hunting is already being practised, you are duty-bound to bring this to the attention of ALE. And I put a similar question to that put to Mr. Dimas: Where were you when the Maltese Government, MIC and the Ministry of Internal Affairs and the Environment were assuring hunters of the continuance of Spring Hunting on turtle dove and quail after EU accesstion? Be honest and declare that at that time, this position was also accepted by you. It seems you are getting greedier by the second!!!!

freddie vella

Mar 10th 2009, 19:53

Is it possible that there is no one in the Ornis committe who has got what it takes to take a real decision? Seems like the EP elections are leaving their effect on everything

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Mar 10th 2009, 19:42

Birdlife persist in stating that Spring hunting is banned in the EU under the Birds Directive.

On March I, in the Malta today Tolga Temuge, Birdlife's Executive Director, also stated that "trapping using clap nets is banned under the Birds Directive." Yet the reply appearing in The Times (March 7) coming for the European Commission representation in Malta, following information on FKNK posters re trapping in other EU states, specifically stated:

Malta can, along with all other member states, apply a derogation to permit trapping to continue.

Trapping of birds is permitted only in exceptional circumstances, where it complies with the strict conditions set out in the Birds Directive.

Trapping of only a small number of certain birds is allowed under strictly supervised conditions and on a selective basis, as set out under article 9(1)(c) of the directive.

The member states referred to on the posters have all sought to permit trapping in accordance with those requirements.

So who can ever believe what Birdlfie Malta say.

We will let the European courts decide what is banned and not be led into believing what a handful of abolitionists want us to believe.

ALEX CASHA

Mar 10th 2009, 19:39

always the same story the same frazes,and the goverment always get away with it,so whats next now ,,,,,a war!!!!! we need a serious goverment that can balance everything between hunters and bird watchers,and this story will solve and make everything clear,and no others argiuments will take place between us maltese,and besides the main problem is the goverment i think 20 years in leadership is worst than a night mare

Joe Camilleri

Mar 10th 2009, 19:37

"BirdLife said Spring hunting is banned in the EU " does they need to see another article on the times of malta, from Nicoletta Flessati, press officer, European Commission, Representation in Malta to prove them wrong once again.

I really do not know why birdlife malta continues to publish false statments like these when everybody knows that Spring hunting is legally practiced throughout the EU.