Geoffrey Saliba, campaigns coordinator, BirdLife Malta, Ta' Xbiex
What criticism of the ECJ decision? (1)
The Għadira nature reserve (centre) where a number of migrating birds often stop for several days on their journey. Photo: Darrin Zammit Lupi
Mark Mifsud Bonnici, secretary of San Ubertu Hunters, once again made several unfounded allegations about BirdLife Malta (September 24).
BirdLife Malta did not criticise the ECJ ruling on Malta's spring hunting case as claimed by Mr Mifsud Bonnici. On the contrary, BirdLife International and BirdLife Malta in a joint statement on September 10 welcomed the ruling and stated the following: "As a consequence, BirdLife concludes spring hunting has to end permanently. Hunting in autumn can continue for these (turtle dove and quail) and 30 other species in Malta, under certain conditions laid out in the EU Birds Directive".
Furthermore, the ECJ did not rule that "future derogation for spring hunting is possible under specific conditions" as wrongly claimed by Mr Mifsud Bonnici. Any member state can apply derogations as long as they meet the conditions set by the Birds Directive. For years the hunting lobby claimed that the derogation applied by the Maltese government between 2004 and 2007 was justified but, when the ECJ ruled otherwise, they changed direction and now claim that a "limited" hunting season in spring would be possible.
The fact is, should Malta apply another derogation for spring hunting, which clearly cannot comply with the set of conditions set out in article nine of the Birds Directive, the chances of Maltese taxpayers bearing the brunt of hefty penalties this time is real. Spring hunting is over and Maltese hunters should learn to live with this reality as their fellow hunters in all other EU states did.
Mr Mifsud Bonnici also wrongly claimed that, in 2003, BirdLife Malta had agreed to a derogation. This is absolutely untrue and he must provide unequivocal evidence in the form of documents signed by BirdLife that we agreed to spring hunting. Otherwise, we expect him to apologise to readers and to BirdLife Malta.
His reference to the so called "government study" on turtle dove and quail is amusing at best. The chairman of the Maltese Ornis committee, to which BirdLife is party, informed its members that this study has not been concluded. Therefore, it could not be part of Malta's defence in Brussels nor could Mr Mifsud Bonnici have any idea about its conclusions. If he has information that Ornis committee members do not have, we demand that he shares this information and also name its source.
Secondly, the study he refers to was not only rubbished by BirdLife but also by one of the UK's biggest scientific ornithological societies, the BTO. The "study" had three coordinators who were hired after the previous one abandoned it. The most recent information we have about the "study" was that the hunters who were "counting" the birds were also shooting the birds at the same time. This was raised during an Ornis meeting. This is the "study" Mr Mifsud Bonnici is talking about.
Mr Mifsud Bonnici referred to the carnet de chasse (data filed by the hunters based on the number of birds they shoot) and stated the following on March 12, 2008: "How could the 'hunters' bag counts' constitute scientific evidence? The Maltese carnets de chasse are worthless, since their validity as scientific evidence depends on their being monitored on a daily basis during the open season by environment wardens. This was never done.
"Hunters fill them in only because handing them in is a pre-condition for licence renewal. They have no scientific value and the European Court of Justice will note that".
We thank him for making at least one true observation.
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r sammut
Oct 1st 2009, 19:48
@Geoffrey Saliba, campaigns coordinator, BirdLife Malta, Ta' Xbiex
Birdlife Malta et al are quick to ‘rubbish’ every proposal, study or other suggestion forwarded by FKNK! The only ‘solemn’ truth accepted by BLM is that which comes out of its own folds!
The ECJ deliberated on the judgment and took its time to evaluate both views; that of BLM and of FKNK. It seems FKNK reasoning came up top, while opposition of BLM was shoved down the proverbial bin. The final outcome shows that the melodramatic ‘facts’ of BLM failed to influence the professionalism of the ECJ.
Chris Finch
Oct 1st 2009, 17:35
If you think the majority support hunting, then lets call a referendum on this issue alone. I don't mean the one to join the EU because the question there was should Malta join the EU? It was only the few (15,000 - Im guessing the numbers because every hunter and their sycophant who posts on here comes up with a different number) hunters who said we had thre referendum already.
Edward Camilleri
Oct 1st 2009, 16:46
The ECJ recommendation for a spring derogation was based on worthless Maltese carnets de chasse as Mr. Mifsud Bonnici has said in 2008, see quote below. I don't know what more evidence one needs not to open the spring season!
Either way, a derogation have to be applied on something concrete!
joseph lia
Oct 1st 2009, 15:55
Dear Geoffrey, you seem a nice enough chap during my encounters with your goodself, please stop misinforming the public. BLM and your goodself keep harping on about scientific this and scientific that, (fat good came out from scientific based mono-agriculture!), while all scientific studies are there to help the human race act responsibly, decide and implement, does not mean that our lives are based on scientific studies ONLY. Be they from /or/ accredited only by almighty Birdlife et al, then that 'study' is your religion. Other studies are either 'rubbish', 'hilarious' or some other adjective. Truth of the matter is, YES other eU countries do allow spring hunting and YES other EU countries do allow bird trapping. FULLSTOP. Application of any derogation need the HOW, WHY and WHEN to be justified/granted by EU, we shall see to that when the time comes!
elton debattista
Oct 1st 2009, 15:40
in your wildest dreams dear chris finch!!!!!
Anthony Formosa
Oct 1st 2009, 14:33
Dear Mr Saliba,
Why as BLM a ornitoligists refused to take part in the study, and called it rubbish? How many studies did BLM carried out during the last two years in the close season? How BLM can convince the ECJ and FKNK the Autumn is an alternative for Spring and even the migratory route proves otherwise?
eeeh so now BLM wants evidence upon what has been agreed prior the EU referendum regarding the two species, but when a dead bird is found they point their fingers towards hunters and no evidence is needed. There are people in BLM that hold guns as well.
@ C.Finch,
What majority you're talking about? hehe dream on, next Spring shots will be fired.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Oct 1st 2009, 13:36
CHRIS FINCH
Ha Ha Ha. I wonder whose days are numbered.?
Can you please specify which "Majority" you are referring to? Could it be by chance that same majority that supported Edward Demicoli in the MEP elections. He did vouch to eradicate spring hunting. Or was it that which showed its support for Alternattixa Demokratika.
As for credibility, Birdlfie stated:
The turtle dove and quail are endangered - The ECJ based on IUCN information (provided by Birdlfie Intl) found this to be false.
Malta is on a main migratory flyway, Again disproved by the ECJ.
Spring hunting in the EU is illegal. Birdlfie even in this letter maintain this point even when the ECJ ruling recognizes that Malta can derogate for having no "satisfactory solution" in autumn as stated in the Birds directive.
Yes Miss Finch. Birdlfie do say lots of things but only fools believe all they say. It is normally such people that have their days numbered. Time will tell who has always been saying the truth. So why not keep all your fingers crossed. I will not keep mine crossed, since this will hinder my shooting .
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Oct 1st 2009, 13:35
Your Christianity really shines Mr Greenfinch, I can see your halo!!! Keep on dreaming Sir!!
Well Mr Geoffrey Saliba might convince YOU! As for myself, this letter is packed with lies and half-truths! Min jidhak l-ahhar jidhak l-ahjar!! Mr Saliba you are fully aware that the ECJ ruled that the derogation for 2004-2007 was wrongly applied. Well now it may be CORRECTLY applied!! Mr Saliba, maybe you may enlighten readers how ECJ has proved you wrong, i.e. that (1) the Autumn Season is not an alternative to the Spring hunting season, (2) Malta is not on the main migratory route and (3) the turtle-dove and quail are listed of 'least concern'! And on a final note, the ECJ believed the figures presented by the Maltese Government, discrediting completely your claims of the millions of birds shot!! Tell me, Sir, who is the most credible?!!!
Chris Finch
Oct 1st 2009, 12:12
Hunters, you have not one shred of credibility left.
It is now more than obvious that your so called hobby's days are numbered.
The MAJORITY of Malta's residents look forward to the day when the last shot is fired.