Number of birds shot have to be established -FKNK

Hunters would definitely have to contend with a spring hunting season of less than two months, a hunting declaration official has said.

He stopped short of saying what "strict" conditions had to be introduced for the government to be able to open the season in line with a European court decision.

The government too refrained from saying what conditions it intended to introduce when asked about the matter.

In its initial reaction to the European Court of Justice ruling, the Office of the Prime Minister had said it was studying all legal avenues to be able to open the hunting season in a "strict and controlled" manner.

While acknowledging that spring hunting would not be possible under the same conditions of three years ago, the secretary of the hunting federation, Lino Farrugia would not be drawn into saying how long the season should be.

"At this stage I can only say that it would definitely be less than two months," Mr Farrugia said, urging hunters to "shut up" and let the federation do its work "quietly". "We have shown them that by working diligently results can be obtained. Today, hunters know we mean business," he added.

Mr Farrugia said "bag quotas" - limits on the number of birds that can be shot - would have to be established but he would not talk about numbers saying these would need to be established scientifically based on the available data.

Nowhere in the EU was the daily quota ever reached, Mr Farrugia said, but it limited the catch when there were particularly good days.

Between 2004 and 2007 spring hunting had lasted for almost two months and the European Court of Justice ruled last week that Malta had breached the Birds' Directive.

However, the court appears to have left open the possibility of a spring hunting season under "strict" and "controlled" conditions without entering into the merits of what they should be. It also set the principle that the autumn hunting season for quail and turtle dove was not a satisfactory alternative for spring hunting.

Mr Farrugia said the hunting federation expected the government to involve them from the start when considering the conditions to be able to apply the derogation on spring hunting correctly.

"The ECJ decided on the information and arguments we provided the government with. The government knows that with our involvement it managed to achieve success and we expect to be involved in drawing up the conditions," he said, insisting the federation had clear instructions from the European hunting federation on how to apply the derogation.

When asked whether hunters could be trusted to adhere to any conditions imposed on them, Mr Farrugia defended his members. "Hunters can be trusted; they are trusted everywhere. This does not mean there aren't hunters who break the law. Today, more than ever, the federation will adopt a zero-tolerance approach to illegality," he said.

In fact, Mr Farrugia is calling for a change in regulations since any hunter suspended by his federation would be able to find refuge in another organisation and still manage to obtain a hunting licence.

"This is why I am asking for greater cooperation from other hunting organisations. Malta is small and hunting can be controlled. The police could be present in hunting areas to serve as a deterrent and they can bolster our efforts for self-regulation," Mr Farrugia said.

His comments come as foreign birdwatchers reported seeing five protected birds being shot over the past two weeks.

The Committee Against Bird Slaughter, which is keeping a look out for illegal hunting and trapping until next month, said it found a wounded marsh harrier in Baħrija last week which, despite receiving medical assistance, died that same day.

The next day, it said several hunters were seen firing at least 12 shots at a flock of about 20 marsh harriers also in Baħrija and three days later a flock of honey buzzards came under fire next to Għar Lapsi.

The hunting federation has held talks with Rural Affairs Minister George Pullicino on the hunting restrictions imposed at the national park at Xagħra l-Ħamra. Mr Farrugia would not say what was discussed but confirmed that the issue of spring hunting had been raised.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com