Hunting facts and fantasy

Anthony Trevisan's criticism of the Police Commissioner (Indiscriminate Shooting, October 5) does not do the Commissioner justice. The correspondent is influenced unduly by "news" in this newspaper, unashamedly used by BirdLife Malta and the German abolitionist CABS, to publicise the slightest hunting infringement. Of no sensational value, ergo unpublicised, are birders' records of the many birds breeding or migrating unmolested. Just read their blogs and websites.

Both major political parties have declared they will abide by EU regulations regarding hunting and trapping, and neither is expected to deviate from that policy. But no doubt there is some leeway between the line of safety and danger. The European Court of Justice, for example, has ruled that autumn hunting is not a satisfactory alternative to spring hunting, thereby justifying the hunters' argument on this crucial point once and for all. There is no appeal, and not even the European Commission can change that. Therefore, Malta is expected to apply a derogation for spring hunting in 2010. If the government opts for a ridiculously short open season, the hunters are likely to turn to the opposition, justifiably hoping it will (when in power) open a season of an acceptable duration in keeping with the spirit of the ECJ ruling. This is called logic, not political ransom, and any self-respecting body would do the same.

Mr Trevisan's letter talks about the "the indiscriminate shooting of birds in Malta" and "justifiable worldwide condemnation in the media". The facts are otherwise, as the latest example proves. The German society CABS reported a total of 486 hunting violations during their 2009 Raptor Camp. These so-called violations included 278 gunshots and 119 illegal bird-callers involving huntable birds, not protected. The Camp lasted 24 days. With 52 CABS members in teams of two or three, with the police at their constant beck and call, with personal searches on people, with over 3000 members of BirdLife Malta, with the most sophisticated photographic equipment in their hands, and with visual access to about 90 per cent and aural access to 100 per cent of the hunting areas, all CABS managed to report is the killing of 23 birds of prey and four illegal trapping sites.

What is the ratio of the illegality percentage of the CABS figures to the number of shooters (12,000) and trappers (4,000)? Practically non-existent! Is worldwide condemnation in the media justifiable? Certainly not! Is shooting indiscriminate? Certainly not! The birds of prey reported shot here make up less than half the number killed by a single poacher in the UK, for which he was fined £200 sterling.

Mr Trevisan writes: "We have no divine right to exterminate whole species ..." What whole species? The truth is that not one species was ever exterminated by Malta's hunters. Malta lies about 300 kilometres south-east of the central Mediterranean migratory flyway. For every bird that passes over or near Malta, 10,000 others fly across other areas in an annual migration calculated by ornithologists to involve six billion individual birds.

Mr Trevisan implies there is apathy in matters of conservation. The police have successfully prosecuted abusers. The hunting federation FKNK promotes zero tolerance, and supports the creation of a wildlife crime unit. The St Hubert Hunters (KSU) has always subscribed to zero tolerance, and supports an enlarged ALE to ensure strict observance of derogation conditions. Both organisations have even offered to pay for extra police surveillance. So where is the apathy?

The collective community gets blamed for individual abuse, which results in indiscriminate criticism of Malta's hunters. Free speech and freedom of expression are being daily abused by some media and individuals.

The publication of half-truths, exaggerations and wrong information influences public opinion and tarnishes Malta's reputation. Inflammatory propaganda against Malta over illegal hunting has gone beyond the limit.

The anti-hunting extremists have no right to do this. For this reason, while reiterating our condemnation of illegal hunting, we urge the authorities to investigate seriously all writings and actions by the anti-hunting lobby leading directly or indirectly to distortion of Malta's name. The government must act against the perpetrators as it must act also against some so-called hunters who seem untouchable.