Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
European Commission issues another warning on spring hunting
Ornis fails to make recommendations
Malta again faces the wrath of the European Commission and an another interim court order if it allows spring hunting this season.
A Commission official yesterday warned that if the government gave in to pressure from the hunting lobby and allowed spring hunting, Brussels would have no other option but to again ask the European Court of Justice to issue emergency measures against the island.
"We have made it clear many times that, according to the Commission, spring hunting in Malta is finished as it goes against the Birds Directive," the Commission official said.
"Although a court case against Malta is still pending, we will not have any other option but to apply again for interim measures if Malta allows spring hunting this year."
The news comes as the Ornis committee, which is tasked with advising the government whether the hunting season should be allowed, yesterday again failed to make any recommendations.
During the previous Ornis meeting, the hunters' federation had asked that a decision on spring hunting should be taken and chairman Louis Cilia called for an emergency meeting, which took place yesterday. The hunters' federation on Monday called on the government to keep its promises and exercise a strong political will to restore "traditional" hunting and trapping in the Maltese islands. Such a move would restore a way of life that was so unjustly stolen from Maltese hunters and trappers. According to the federation, the responsibility to decide to open the spring hunting season and allow trapping primarily fell on the government.
When asked whether the government had any plans to open the spring hunting, a spokesman for the Office of the Prime Minister said this was not the case because there were no new developments that warranted any change in the position taken last year.
The EU official said that although it was true that the final decision on spring hunting had to be taken by the local authorities, this had to respect EU law. As the issue was sub-judice and there was already a court order on interim measures issued for last year's season, the Commission was expecting the government not to allow spring hunting even this year.
The official said that Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas had already made the Commission's position very clear last week in a parliamentary reply to Robert Evans, a British Labour MEP who is keeping the issue alive.
Mr Dimas said the interim order of the European Court disallowing spring hunting in Malta in 2008 was considered by the Commission as setting a precedent in relation to spring hunting in subsequent years.
"The Commission would again apply to the court for interim measures should Malta permit the hunting for birds during the spring of 2009," Mr Dimas insisted.
In a statement after the Ornis meeting yesterday, BirdLife Malta president Joseph Mangion said: "We expect the Prime Minister to respect EU law and not put Malta in another embarrassing position where the court might again apply an interim measure. It is now time to focus on illegal hunting and provide the (police) ALE with much-needed resources as we have already started to receive reports of illegal hunting".
Following a series of warnings over this issue, the EU Executive had served Malta with a reasoned opinion, under article 226 of the EC Treaty, in October 2007, calling on the island not to allow spring hunting of turtle dove and quail for 2008. Responding in January 2008, Malta did not commit to banning spring hunting. As a result, the Commission referred the case to the European Court of Justice.
Given that the spring hunting season was imminent, the Commission also applied to the court for interim measures, asking Malta not to allow spring hunting in 2008. On April 24, 2008 the court concluded that the Maltese authorities should not adopt legislation permitting the hunting of birds during the spring period in 2008.
While the court decided on the application for interim measures, the main case on the principle of spring hunting in general has still to be heard.
According to a European Court spokesman, it is not yet known when the court will give its ruling as a hearing demanded by Malta has still to be held. However, the spokesman said it was possible that the court would not have decided before the "normal" spring hunting season in Malta started.
Usually, a court case instituted by the Commission against a member state takes two to three years to be decided by the European Court.
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Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 11th 2009, 19:50
Dr. Etienne Calleja, I join Mr. Andrew Gatt in his request as to whether you care to comment on what he said.
Mrs Chris Finch, I suggest you acquire a copy of the Bible. Christian Faith is about LOVING, TOLERATING AND RESPECTING your neighbour. Nowhere does it say that one should harbour extremist views and try to abolish what he does not agree with.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 11th 2009, 18:32
Usually, a court case instituted by the Commission against a member state takes two to three years to be decided by the European Court.
WHAT IS NORMAL FOR COMMISSION SEEMS TO HAVE CHANGED WHEN MALTA'S SPRING HUNTING ISSUE CREPT UP. WHAT NORMALLY TAKES YEARS FOR THE EU TO ACT UPON ONLY TOOK A MATTER OF MONTHS.
AND ALL THIS AFTER EACH HUNTER RECEIVED A GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE!!!
KEVIN FRANCICA
Mar 11th 2009, 17:57
THE EU ORDERS MALTA, ................ STILL ANYONE CAN GO WOODCOCK SHOOTING THIS SPRING IN ROMANIA OR SLOVAKIA, OR WOODPIGEON, CORVID SHOOTING IN ENGLAND. NO ONE MOANES THERE ! LEAST OF ALL THE EU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
for whoever doubts these FACTS -------------- just run a google search.
Michael Neville Cassar
Mar 11th 2009, 17:51
Well now we feel the effect of what the voters ,done when they voted for the E.U. The good the bad and the ugly . Open boarder without control on criminals and might is right, house 's and flats, impossible to buy and getting stuck with illegal persons who want to cross over to E U countries. Laws passed to stop showing Jesus Christ on the cross, in public place so as not to hurt others, and Liberty to all those who want their way . VIVA THE E.U. By the way the 50 to 60 Km speed going to a funneral in the outer lane, and pot holes,
Andrew Gatt
Mar 11th 2009, 17:16
Dr Etienne Calleja, you mention the referendum. What you fail to mention is that the 77 "Special Arrangements" package presented to the electorate also included a GUARANTEE that Spring Hunting and Trapping will continue post-EU accession. A "YES" for Europe was also a "YES" for Spring Hunting and Trapping - as part of a bigger package.
Care to comment on this?
Dr. Etienne Calleja
Mar 11th 2009, 16:29
the comments raised by the pro-hunting lobby here are, to say the least banal. First of all what has abortion got to do with this? Similarly, what does the immigration issue have in common with the Birds Directive ? Nothing. A clear case of a non-sequitur to a non-sequitur.
Secondly, this is not an imposition of law by the EU. Our entry into the EU was democratically settled by means of both a referendum and an election. We signed the treaty, we accepted its laws. Period. We joined the club to reap benefits as a whole, but not without inherent obligations. But then again, not having any, or shirking, obligations, is a national pastime of ours. Well, tough - not this time!
To now say, that the ban on hunting of turtle dove and quali is an issue that ALL the Maltese are suffering is, at best, facaetious. It is equally ludicrous because the Maltese electorate in its entirety, a rare occaison this, decided on the big picture rather than concentrating on self-interest.
As for the 'extremist' comments by Birdlife, the same can easily be said about the pro-hunting lobby.
Dr. Etienne Calleja is a lawyer in private practice.
a attard
Mar 11th 2009, 15:02
Personally I am totally against any form of hunting on wild animals especially in today’s world were humans have expanded in such a way that the loss of habitat and pollution is a very serious threat for their existance. Some have adapted well living with humans like pigeons, seagulls and sparrows, but far more need particular delicate habitats in order to survive. This is much more evident in Malta with a third of the Island under buildings. We should make an effort and learn to appreciate the life cycles of these animals that have a right to share the earth we live in.
It would be great if hunters can concentrate their energies on helping to bringing BACK the barn owl and falcon to live and breed in the little few places left for them to flourish and keep being an anti urbanasation lobby so with the rest of the citizens we can enjoy the little left of what is left from our country side making it accessable to our children who are totally in need of exersise in fresh air and pellet free environment.
Nigel lawrence
Mar 11th 2009, 14:51
European Commission issues another warning on spring hunting---
Do you REALLY think it will make any difference what the E.C.demands?
Andrew Gatt
Mar 11th 2009, 14:10
Prime Minister, open the season! Keep your party's promises. Show continuity with respect to the ongoing EU Court Case. Stop being led by the nose by a few score abilitionists who object to this, that and the other on the flimsiest of excuses and who justify their position with blatant lies, exaggerations and misinformation. If it's not hunting, it's the wind farm If it's not the wind farm, it's the Ghadira Road. And so on. Moan moan moan, no no no, object object object.
As to the EU, well! Huh! We have the EU Commissioner for the Environment ON RECORD as having said he wants to "make an example of Malta". Ha toqghod ghaliha din? This is YOUR country and YOUR citizens! We have the EU itself which seems to think that the hunting and trapping of JUST 2 SPECIES of PROLIFIC GAME BIRDS is far more important than issues that affect ALL Maltese.............mank ghamlu l-istess fuq il-klandestni! And if the EU can break one Special Arrangement, well, I guess the other 76 are all at risk. L-aqwa li jsibu xi skuza.
Edwin Formosa
Mar 11th 2009, 13:09
What about the Opposition ??
Danica Rosso
Mar 11th 2009, 12:52
To all of you who are thanking God we're in the EU, I'm curious to see what your comments will be when the EU will bully us into introducing their pro abortion laws.
Chris Finch
Mar 11th 2009, 12:26
Mr Zarb, Where does christianity say 'thou shalt kill my creatures with a shotgun'? The only hatred I see is that of the pro-hunting lobby to anyone who opposes them. The only intolerance I see is the hunters to anyone who wants to walk on PUBLIC land during hunting season, and the only disrespect is of those armed people towards the countryside when the land is polluted by lead, signs are demolished and vandalised and plastic shotgun cartridges litter the cliff tops and the seabed.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 11th 2009, 12:14
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!!!!
C Mallia
Mar 11th 2009, 11:08
Like J Borg, one of the main reasons I voted for the EU. Hunting and trapping have been a political ping pong for a long time and used by local parties at the expense of the general public.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 11th 2009, 10:57
Messrs Agius, Borg and Sultana, Christianity at its best: HATRED, INTOLERANCE, DISRESPECT!!!
M. Brincat
Mar 11th 2009, 10:55
I'm neither in favour nor against hunting.
I'm only against the fact that EU is banning the killing of birds in Malta whilst allowing abortion - the killing of humans!
The values of the EU are cheaper than a €.
Neil Dent
Mar 11th 2009, 10:49
Any comment or directive from the indecisive ORNIS committee would surely pale to insignificant, in the light of the crystal clear EU directive. There's nothing to discuss here - the matter of Spring hunting should be a closed case. Let's move on.
lmercieca
Mar 11th 2009, 10:33
Thank God there is the EU to control soemething that none of the governments had the guts to tackle. Hopefully one day our islands wont be considered as bird killing spot. However now its up to the authorities to refrain the bullies from breaching further the laws and hunt / trap anyway during the closed season....
Anthony Formosa
Mar 11th 2009, 10:21
"We have made it clear many times that, according to the Commission, spring hunting in Malta is finished as it goes against the Birds Directive," the Commission official said.
Where was MIC, Simon Busuttil, Joe Borg & EFA, because as far as we're concerned hunting and trapping will remain after EU accession.
BirdLife Malta president Joseph Mangion said: "We expect the Prime Minister to respect EU law and not put Malta in another embarrassing position where the court might again apply an interim measure.
Yes Mr Mangion, The most embarrassing position is when you and your company, launched a dirty campaign abroad against our tourist industry calling tourists agencies not to visit Malta because hunters kill 50 million birds. But then again what is the most embarrassment for the EU, killing unborn babies or birds? Invading other countries or peace, Supporting countries in Africa or let them cross with all the risks. Malta being invaded by illegals and EU do nothing, that is embarrassment.
Stavros Dimas had already made the Commission's position very clear last week in a parliamentary reply to Robert Evans, a British Labour MEP who is keeping the issue alive.
Seems, that Birdlife already have their MEP
Chris Finch
Mar 11th 2009, 10:10
And once again the government can sit on the fence without making a clear stance either for or against. All GonziPN will do now is say his hands are tied as he is afraid of losing a few votes.
Thank God for the EU who can't be swayed or intimidated.
MAybe we will hear the last of these few extremeists with guns but I doubt it.
P Agius
Mar 11th 2009, 10:07
And yet another victory to common sense !!! Are the hunters still of the opinion that the birds directive is being adhered to (without resporting to the Kazin bla bla bla) ? :)
J. Borg
Mar 11th 2009, 09:56
one of the reasons why I voted to join the EU....
government cannot let itself be held at ransom by a vociferous lobby - at the expense of the peaceful much greater majority.
a sultana
Mar 11th 2009, 09:44
"...spring hunting in Malta is finished..."
never thought words could be so sweet to my ears (and to the birds')