Ornis Committee advises ban on finch trapping - hunters boycott meeting
The Ornis Committee meeting yesterday, voted unanimously to advise the government not to allow finch trapping in Malta, as per Malta's EU Accession Treaty negotiations, BirdLife Malta said. It welcomed the decision and said that Malta was finally sending an important message to Brussels that it would honour its Accession Treaty agreements.
The hunters' federation (FKNK) in a later statement said it did not attend the meeting after it received documented information from a department within the Office of the Prime Minister which led one to understand that the government had no intention of opening a finch trapping season from October, as the federation had proposed and as had been promised by the government itself.
Yesterday's committee meeting decided to allow the continuation of autumn trapping for four species that was not part of the Accession Treaty agreement. The species that can be trapped next autumn according to the Ornis Committee are Golden Plover and Song Thrush between 10th October and 10th January, and Turtle Dove and Common Quail between 1st September and 31st October.
"Since most of the trappers in Malta target finches, this means that large scale and widespread trapping will not continue," BirdlLife said.
"As for the trapping of four other species, we are expecting the Office of the Prime Minister to explain to the Ornis Committee how many trappers will be allowed to trap these four species and the strict conditions that would apply," said Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife Malta's Campaigns Coordinator.
BirdLife said bird trapping is not allowed under the Birds Directive (2). The Accession Treaty negotiated by Malta on joining the European Union stipulated a five year phasing out period for the trapping of seven finch species which expired at the end of 2008.
BirdLife Malta representatives at the Ornis meeting argued that it would be advisable to know the details of a derogation to allow trapping of Golden Plover, Song Thrush, Turtle Dove and Common Quail before a vote on these seasons were taken. The Committee voted regardless, based on the Attorney General's statements that as the European Commission had not yet commented on the trapping of these species the trapping seasons for these species should remain open.
The Committee also agreed upon the autumn hunting season to run for five months from September 1 to January 31. Furthermore the Committee decided to advise the Office of the Prime Minister to ask the police whether the afternoon hunting ban during the peak raptor migration period in September should continue to help the police to carry out their duties of protecting these birds.
"The afternoon restriction on hunting for the two week period in September is vital to protecting birds of prey, which pass through Malta in large numbers at this time of year. They are very vulnerable to poachers in the afternoon, when they spend hours circling low over the countryside looking for a safe roost site.
"Our experience in the field over the last two years has shown that this ban has assisted the police to carry out their duties much more effectively and we expect it to continue until the illegal hunting situation in Malta is brought under control." Andre Raine, BirdLife Malta Conservation Manager said.
FKNK 'DISAPPOINTED'
The FKNK said it has written to the Prime Minister voicing its concerns, and a meeting with the Opposition Leader is expected in the forthcoming days.
"The Maltese trapper should not be treated as a second class European citizen... the FKNK will still do its utmost to ensure that this pass time, which forms an integral part of the way of life of the Maltese trapper, this traditional Maltese socio-cultural practice that dates back centuries, is not lost from the Maltese islands," FKNK secretary Lino Farrugia said.
He said that at committee meetings prior to yesterday’s, the FKNK had proposed the following hunting and capturing seasons for this autumn/winter:
Hunting from land for the 32 huntable species from 1st September to 31st January, and that this season should be fixed in local legislation as is in other countries.
Hunting at sea for the 12 duck and geese species from 1st October till the end of February. Capturing of turtle doves and quails from 1st September to 31st October. Capturing of golden plovers, lapwings, song thrushes, fieldfares, mistle thrushes, blackbirds, redwings and skylarks from 10th October to 31st January. Capturing of seven finch species from 1st October to 31st January.
Mr Farrugia said it appeared that the Ornis Committee yesterday decided to recommend the following to the Prime Minister: Hunting from land for the 32 huntable species, except for the turtle dove and the quail, from 1st September to 31st January, on the condition that government should seek the police advice on whether an afternoon hunting ban should again be imposed in the last fortnight of September. The ban was yet again put forward by the BirdLife Malta representatives on the Committee.
Hunting from land for turtle doves and quail from 1st September to 31st October, plus the same afternoon ban.
Hunting at sea for the 12 species of duck and geese from 1st October to 31st January. Capturing of the turtle dove and the quail from 1st September to 31st October on condition that government applies a derogation from the ‘Birds’ Directive to permit this season.
Capturing of golden plovers and song thrushes from 10th October to 10th January, again on condition that government applies a Derogation.
It appeared that the finch capturing issue was not even discussed at yesterday’s committee meeting, Mr Farrugia said.
"The FKNK is very disappointed with these recommendations when it sees that not even a single season as proposed by the Federation was recommended, however the FKNK is further upset over the recommendations of the afternoon ban and that the capturing will be conditioned by the application of derogations, Mr Farrugia said.
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Johnny Xerri
Aug 1st 2009, 13:39
When there is an EU wide ban on hunting I might except it.
But as matters stand, banning hunting in Malta which has 17000 hunters and 3000 trappers, makes no sense at all considering that there are 7 million hunters in the EU.
Malta is just 0.24 % of all the EU hunters.
As for your interesting comment, hunters can only catch from 32 different species and in over 10 years I still havent killed all of these species in fact I only regualarly kill doves, quail, song thrushes, starlings, just 1 duck and 2-3woodcock a year. All the other species I have never encountered on my land. This is because not all birds alight on the same type of land. If its good for plovers its most probably rubbish for anything else except the occasional lapwing.
Considering that over 200 birds migrate over Malta and hunters target only 32 then you have all the rest to see.
But these cannot be easily seen if your at home or a pub!!!
daniel buhagiar
Jul 31st 2009, 18:03
there should be a Europe wide ban. why should the hunters only get to "enjoy" the birds, the citiziens of europe are the second class citizien and not the hunters
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Jul 31st 2009, 10:57
Mr Edward Camilleri, may I correct your statement that the EU does not want hunting and trapping in MALTA ONLY. These pastimes are practised all over the EU and the Maltese are the only ones being treated as second-class citizens! It appears that it is you who conveniently opt to "not see the world outside". Please, Sir, try to restrict such sweeping statements as: "no one wants to take any notice of them" as there are many Maltese citizens who do give notice to the hunters' and trappers' cause beside many others who will not tolerate co-citizens being treated any inferior to other EU citizens!!!
Edward Camilleri
Jul 30th 2009, 19:51
finally FKNK & Co have realised that no one wants their one sided opinion, and did not attend! I encourage them to continue with their boycott, it is time well spent, better than hunting or trapping!
I wonder how FKNK & Co don't understand that the EU and many do not want hunting & trapping? Maybe they are too engulfed in their sickening hobby that they do not see the world outside? Isn’t their irresponsible rationale that they prefer a dead bird than a free one enough reason that no one wants to take any notice of them?
Johnny Xerri
Jul 30th 2009, 16:15
@ C Mallia,
Were was your comment when the govt officials did not attend the meeting, 2 weeks ago? Were they excussed for a particular reason? Maybe because someone still had to instruct them on their desicions?
For all the antis, bird hunting (& trapping) has been practiced since the stoneage. Moreover, the EU bird directive has been written in 1979 (if im not mistaken). So it took 1979 years plus all BC for the hunting fraternity to effect birds. So hunting was sustainable for all those years but not any more after the bird directive was enacted.
Birds are decreasing for a variety of reasons,
The following show links show mortality causes:
http://www.sibleyguides.com/mortality.htm
http://www.fws.gov/birds/mortality-fact-sheet.pdf
http://www.fs.fed.us/psw/publications/documents/psw_gtr191/Asilomar/pdfs/1029-1042.pdf
All these studies are done in a scientific way and are in no way biased. They have citations and are backed by scientific methodology and results.
The cherry on the cake:
http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/2009/06/14/l6.html
And then BLM are against hunting & in favour of wind turbines, which all of the above links prove at least as harmfull as hunting and many studies show that they are much more harmfull.
Bird protection my foot.
r sammut
Jul 29th 2009, 22:29
C Mallia
What was the purpose for the FKNK to attend if the outcome was already known? The dies were cast and no amount of discussing was going to change a thing! The news release by Ornis is nothing more than BirdLife dictate. The only formality of the Ornis required by Government was the final signatories to be seen as transparent!
Why only Malta should have a committee to decide on the autumn season? All other EU countries have such season’s opening and closing dates set in law! The purpose of Ornis should only be to apply derogations. This ploy by Government is to keep hunters at the mercy of these foreign hunting abolitionists, nothing more nothing less.
mario attard
Jul 29th 2009, 22:07
SHAME SHAME SHAME! ON OUR SPINELESS GOVMT ONCE AGAIN . HOPE THIS WILL SERVE A LESSON TO ALL THOSE WHO VOTED IN FAVOUR OF THE EU ACCESSION. THOUGH IM NOT A TRAPPER I CAN IMMAGINE THE BITTERNESS BUT AS WE MALTESE SAY .............. IZ ZEJT TELA F WICC L ILMA !
Ray Mangani
Jul 29th 2009, 21:22
So, let's say that we hunters and trappers were decieved by the EU ,
what;s next !!!!!!! abortion............neutrality.........etc etc....of course we are governed by a spineless government!!!!!!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jul 29th 2009, 21:16
C.Mallia
The hunters federation was exercising the same type of boycott as the PN had done when it boycotted parliament.
The FKNK boycott is supported by all 20,000 hunters and trappers. Are you aware of all the pre referendum promises made to hunters and to the FACT that the EU commission specifically stated "Malta can, along with all other member states, apply a derogation to permit trapping to continue."
And yet the Ornis committee, supposedly a scientific body, advises a ban on finch trapping.
A group of people who cannot tell the difference between a sparrow and a dicky bird comes to this "scientific" conclusion.
The PN sold the hunters and trappers rights in exchange for EU membership. All their guarantees that spring hunting and trapping would remain after accession were nothing but a devious plan to secure their vote.
Gonzi brought the Finland case as an excuse for the spring hunting ban, what is his excuse for the trapping debacle. The EU agreement on trapping allows trapping in limited numbers after the agreed 2008 phasing out period. Is the PN going to keep its word on this or will it again prove its vileness?
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Jul 29th 2009, 20:33
SHAME, SHAME AND SHAME how a Committee being paid from our taxes appears to be playing into the hands of BirdLife and Co!!
Very well written Mr MMB and Mr DBC. BirdLife and Co are indeed after an abolition and it is disappointing to see the Maltese Government keeping them happy! Where are all the promises and guarantees? I agree completely with Mr DBC about: "Try re-calling a referendum and I am sure you will be surprised by the outcome !!" As the Maltese saying goes: "Il-giddieb ghomru qasir" and I am sure hunters and trappers have now learnt their lesson!!
Meanwhile, I hope that certain anti-hunting individuals who have lately commented in favour of abortion will now refrain from playing the hypocrites and comment in favour of birds!!!!!
Anthony Formosa
Jul 29th 2009, 20:12
What a shameful govt, who deceived his own people. If this government is credible he must keep his electoral promises made to Hunters and Trappers prior EU accession and 2003 election.
@ A.Aquilina,
Indeed is a sad picture for these people, why we will not also have fish swimming free!!!! Why not also chickens, cows,sheep. And why not also let the prisoners free?
C Mallia
Jul 29th 2009, 19:27
@MMB and other hunters - If the hunters' representatives have decided not to attend this meeting, then how do you come here, now, placing your complaints at how the Ornis committee advises?
Andrea Damato
Jul 29th 2009, 18:26
@ Ornis Commitee govt.appointed members and above all @ Dr.Gonzi:
The following is what the EU states on finch trapping:
http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20090307/letters/severe-conditions-for-continuance-of-trapping
The EU couldn't be clearer. So this is a blatant case of a spineless and unwilling government, that it's not ready to fulfill the guarantees and promises he made prior to the2003 eu referendum/general election.
Shame shame shame!!!!!!!!
lgalea
Jul 29th 2009, 18:24
David Borg Cardona
You know you can turn things around by getting together with others who have been deceived and now know what the eu really is about, form a political party that has as its political agenda to leave the eu and vote to get out of the eu.
Such trapping is allowed in other eu countries so why not in Malta?
David Borg Cardona
Jul 29th 2009, 17:33
@ Adrian Aquilina..
Sad ??? Sad is the way us hunters and trappers have been blatantly deceived by a spineless govt. who was in such a rush to join the EU that all he did was spew out lies and void promises.Try re-calling a referendum and I am sure you will be surprised by the outcome !!
Sad is the way GonziPn's govt is being led by the nose by Birdlife & Co whose sole aim is to ban all hunting.
Sad is the way we ALL allow foreigners like CABS to come and dictate what and how we should do it.
Sad is the simple fact that since the advent of BLM's 2 foreigners, the whole situation has gone steeply down hill. Instead of seeking (as is the norm worldwide) some kind of agreement with FKNK, they are only out for confrontation and nothing else.
Sad is the way they have depicted Malta's name overseas.. The Hungary football match and a quick look at CABS website should suffice.
Even sadder is the vile way in which even Maltese themselves give their own country a bad name...
adrian aquilina
Jul 29th 2009, 17:12
what a sad picture that is...birds should be flying free..
r sammut
Jul 29th 2009, 16:56
BirdLife wants police consultation at the possibility of closing or not the September afternoons! Why not go the whole hog and ask for consultation on a complete hunting ban? That would make the police job that much easier, the dream ride!!!
Is this coming out of the Ornis Committee or of BirdLife domain?
Ernest Vella
Jul 29th 2009, 16:51
One question - why in Europe yes and in Malta no - this is poor racism. Gvern bla sinsla u oppozizzjoni bla vuci. Dan ma jaghmilx l-Ewropa hazina imma fuq dan is-suggett vera l-Gvern Malti dahak b'dawin in-nassabba u l-kaccaturi wahda sew....u din mhux ser tintesa....tal-misthija....imma min irid jigi josserva l-ghasafar le ha jidhol fil-propjeta tieghi.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Jul 29th 2009, 16:22
Can the Ornis members explain how they reached such a conclusion? They are meant to base their conclusions on scientific evidence, which all trappers would like to hear.
Also as reported in the Times of 7/3/09
"the European Commission Representation in Malta wishes to clarify the position concerning bird trapping in Malta and in other member states of the European Union.
Under the Accession Treaty, trapping of certain bird species (seven species of finches) was permitted until the end of December 2008.
The Accession Treaty also set out a number of "milestones" for the Maltese authorities to undertake, including the registration of trapping sites, the establishment of a breeding programme and an assessment of its effectiveness.
Following the expiry of this period under the Treaty, Malta can, along with all other member states, apply a derogation to permit trapping to continue."
Are the Ornis members not aware that all finch species trapped in Malta can be trapped under derogation in other EU states. Why do we have to differ?
Clearly as with spring hunting, Government is fulfilling it's obligations to the EU after having sold springhunting and trapping in exchange for membership.