FKNK says hunters followed its EP voting instructions

Mario Farrugia

Sep 25th 2009, 00:08

FKNK asked members to vote pl because the pn decieved them in the past. They voted pl not to save hunting but to send a message to gonzi.

M. Cardona

Sep 24th 2009, 21:37

@ G Grech

You conveniently opted not to quote me fully. Let me rephrase for your better understanding.... I said, those who persist with irresponsible behaviour have to weeded out ASAP in the interest of both ends. I also said, those who perist, please prosecute. I hope we agree at least on this!


@ E Azzopardi. Do get a life. If we were to have the majority ruling over the subjective passions and interests of others, wouldn't that amount to tyranny by the majority? So I guess by your way of understanding, if I don't agree with fishing, let's eliminate fishing. Whilst we're at it, I don't like football, so that could go as well. I don't like the sound of cars in the streets, lets make do with those as well. And finally but most of all I don't like people whose only aim in life is to make those of others a misery...........

Franco Farrugia

Sep 24th 2009, 21:28

Quoting from the Judgement of the Court (EJC):
68. Having regard to the foregoing considerations, it must be held that, by having authorised the opening of a hunting season for quails and turtle doves during the spring of 2004 to 2007, without complying with the conditions laid down in Article 9(1) of the Directive, the Republic of Malta has failed to fulfil its obligations under that directive.
69. Under Article 69(2) ..., the unsuccessful party is to be ordered to pay the costs if they have been applied for in the successful party’s pleadings. Since ...the Republic of Malta and since the Republic of Malta has been unsuccessful, it must be ordered to pay the costs.
On those grounds, the Court ... hereby:
1. Declares that, by authorising the opening of a hunting season for quails and turtle doves during the spring migration period in the years 2004 to 2007, without complying with the conditions laid down ... on the conservation of wild birds, as amended, ... the Republic of Malta has failed to fulfil its obligations under that directive;
2. Orders the Republic of Malta to pay the costs.

G. Grech

Sep 24th 2009, 19:35

@M Cardona

quoting "The great majority of hunters have now understood and agree that protected/endangered bird species should not be shot." In actual fact, they are still killing anything that flies. In can see this in my home town. Needn't go far...

Douglas Mathias

Sep 24th 2009, 17:57

"During the press conference, Mr Pelici Calascione asked for a minute's silence in memory of four hunters who, he said, committed suicide because of the hunting ban. He said that many other hunters were on anti-depressants."

I'm sure, for example, that many taxi drivers are unhappy about road conditions as well, but that doesn't mean they kill themselves because of potholes. The only conclusion that can be drawn from the above statement is that hunting organizations attract the mentally and emotionally unstable . . . just the sort of people you want running around the countryside with guns!

GiovDeMartino

Sep 24th 2009, 17:37

Is it possible that there can be so many people whosew only interest in the running of the country is whether they are/are not allowed to hunt?

Paul Barrett

Sep 24th 2009, 16:58

Put aside the hunting issue for the moment and read the end of the article again:

"He said that many other hunters were on anti-depressants."

If this is a factual statement from the leadership of FKNK then how can the authorities possibly allow people who are medically diagnosed as depressed to be in possession of a weapon, never mind having a licence to use it.

Anthony Borg

Sep 24th 2009, 15:37

@I Borg
U int tahseb li in-nies ivvutaw u ha jivvutaw ghal 'birds'?. il kaccaturi biss jivvutaw hekk (u mhux kollha ta ghax hemm minnhom ma ddawrilhomx il-kulur taghhom). il bqija tan-nies ivvutaw u ha jivvutaw ghal weghdiet li ghamlilhom u il-gvern u ma wettaqhomx, ghal gholi tal-hajja, ghax xoghol etc etc..So, hallina mill-birds tieghek Mr Borg.

James Dimech

Sep 24th 2009, 15:08

nevermind jobs, free movement, economy ... the most important issue is hunting ! Ara tmissli d-delizzju !

With parties such as FKNK no wonder mediocrity still runs high in Malta. I am embarassed to be Maltese.

I Balzan

Sep 24th 2009, 15:04

@FKNK
Who are you trying to take for a ride? These poachers who were caught are just the very tip of the iceberg. You know all this but you just go along and hide it. Thats why you hate CABS and raptor camps cause they are for the first time exposing the bloody killings to the world. Illegal hunting is rampant in Malta and the general public knows this.

Make your country a favour, STOP WARNING AND START ACTING.

I Borg

Sep 24th 2009, 14:50

Thank you FKNK. You ve confirmed who to vote for in the next elections - ie those who love the birds as free creatures.

E. Azzopardi

Sep 24th 2009, 14:40

So there were illegalities and the vast majority of the people was right. Not that we doubted this but it has now been confirmed by the federation itself. This is of course the tip of the iceberg and for honesty's sake there should be many more dismissals. So let us see if there is "consistency" in what the federation is doing. This is most important now and should not be a one off for the sake of the honest ones. It will still not be the end of the story but we shall take it from there and go to the next step.
Anyway, my suggestion is ( if we all believe in this wonderful democracy) to hold a referendum so that we can decide what we want and this includes hunting, bombs ( yes bombs, because they kill) during festas and any other controversies we might have. We can have five or six in one referendum and get on with it.
The People will decide so that we can then concentrate of what is "really" important for "the vast majority of this country" and let us stop wasting money, time and energy which we can make better use of.

M. Cardona

Sep 24th 2009, 14:25

@ Anthony Slater

BLM were requested joint participation in a migratory study conducted nation wide in 2007-2009 on Spring and Autumn passes. They refused participation! As to the why???

FKNK I assure you has never held back in disciplining those who continue to tarnish the hunters' reputation with their irresponsible acts. Maybe you ought to address your proposal to BLM and CABS but don't be surprised if their reply is in the negative. FKNK's presence could undermine opportunities of claims like 2 storks were shot and that was killed without any evidence whatsoever. Your proposal is good but I guess it is addressed to the wrong end.

@ G. Grech and all others with similiar confusion.

The issue here is not about protected bird species. The great majority of hunters have now understood and agree that protected/endangered bird species should not be shot. The remaining few it is agreed, have to be weeded out ASAP, in the interest of both ends.

The issue here is about legal (ECJ ruling.... no satisfactory alternative) hunting of turtle doves and quail in Spring. Nothing more and nothing less! As to protected bird species, please prosecute whoever persists.

jimmy Vella

Sep 24th 2009, 14:17

We now know not to vote labour if you you care about the environment.
Where is the labour environment spokesperson stand on this grave issue of total decimation of our enviorment

Conrad vella

Sep 24th 2009, 14:07

Ara vera kollox jaghmlu ghal-voti !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Dear Mr Farrugia, could you kindly enlighten us as to what enticed your federation to suggest to your members to vote for Labour candidates Joseph Cuschieri, Marlene Mizzi, Edward Scicluna, Louis Grech, Sharon Ellul Bonici and John Attard Montalto?

Could you divulge the promises made by these candidates? Could the candidates divulge these promises?

Are you aware that the strongest hunting lobby in the EU is the socialist group which even has the Green party affiliated to it? By the way, just in case you didn't know, the above mentioned candidates all form part of the socilaist group!!!!

On the Mizieb so called mass grave, I have my doubts as to how so many alleged birds were found stranded there, all at once. Sounds fishy to me that if the birds were actually shot, they would not be collected. it also sounds fishy that all this allegedly happened following a long weekend.

Hopefully police investigatons will enlighten us who is to blame in this matter.

G. Grech

Sep 24th 2009, 14:00

@n xuereb

Actually it's not a pity. Irreparable damage was and is still being done to the environment. This has to stop, even if the guy needs anti-depressants.

Other countries have programs to repopulate endangered specifies, and they spend thousands on this, whilst in Malta these species are shot down.

Anthony Slater

Sep 24th 2009, 13:51

I suggest that Lino Farrugia and other officials joins BirdLifeCABS on one of their outings.

For obvious reasons, the time and place should not be given to Mr farrugia & Co. That way, they will be able to witness (or not) the illegal hunting that is going on. An added bonus would be for BirdLifeCABS and Lino Farrugia & Co to approach the illegal hunters there and then.

Mystery shopping at its best....

J. Borg

Sep 24th 2009, 13:46

FKNK is encourgaed to take up Nyal Xuereb suggestion to hunt only during the apparently bountiful April fortnight.
Thus hunters will get the pairs of birds their stomach aches for,
no excuse for carrying or using shotguns will remain for the rest of the year, and
FINALLY the rest of the population and tourists alike will be able to peacefully and safely enjoy the limited countryside we are crammed in!

Karl Abela

Sep 24th 2009, 13:44

The FKNK is suggesting that those in favour of hunting to vote Labour and those against hunting to vote PN.

Thats a perfect example of how Labour shoots itself in the foot.

Nyal Xuereb

Sep 24th 2009, 13:32

I for one would seriously consider not hunting all year round just to be able to hunt for only 2 weeks in April for turtle dove and quail. And I'm not alone with this proposal. Unlike all the other EU countries, its the only period Malta has for game birds. Since hunting is about catching game, without spring, I consider hunting banned.

n xuereb

Sep 24th 2009, 13:28

I know numerous hunters and trappers who worked their whole life to be able start early retirement, only to have their doors closed now that they reached their goal. Some even managed to save enough to stop working at the age of less than 50, but there hobby has been taken away from them. A true Pity.

Nyal Xuereb

Sep 24th 2009, 13:24

The 20 in number individuals dismissed from the Federation, thus losing their license, makes complete sense. I believe that even less than that number were found guilty in court during this year. The problem is that some others get away with it while the other 14,000 less a few are getting the blame of these irresponsible sportsmen.