Monitoring of hunters (1)

With reference to the comments made by BirdLife in connection with the wardens' scheme, I would like to make it very clear that these wardens are not a substitution to the rounds that are normally done by the Administrative Law Enforcement unit. BirdLife president Joseph Mangion is fully aware of this, so much so that he quoted me acknowledging the fact that the ALE, with their resources, cannot possibly cover the whole of our island.

It is exactly because of this scenario that we are organising the warden scheme.

Why do BirdLife feel that the wardens will have too much power? What power?

In an interview with Kenneth De Martino, the director of the local wardens, it was said, and I quote: "The warden has three responsibilities in the area of enforcement: to educate, to deter and finally, to enforce if this is deemed necessary." This is precisely what we are trying to achieve, no more and no less. Why is Birdlife suspicious? How can we take the law into our hands?

I do not agree with Mr Mangion that all hunters have a responsibility to report illegal activity.

By the same argument all citizens have the responsibility to report infringements in our localities and there is no need for wardens.

However, please note that despite the street wardens, illegalities are still rampant but how many more infringements would there be if street wardens were not on patrol?

Mr Mangion is preoccupied that hunters would underreport illegal hunting because they are in control of enforcement in the hope of re-opening spring hunting. This is an irresponsible statement on all counts, because:

1. As explained above, the hunters will never be in control of enforcement and;

2. The hunters are not hoping to have spring hunting reopened.

The hunters have been told that spring hunting will be opened when the European Court of Justice will approve that autumn is not an alternative season for spring.

This has now been officially confirmed and the Prime Minister in Parliament stated that spring hunting will open (I have copied Mr Mangion with a recording of the Parliament sitting). It is only a matter of how long for and any other requirements in order to comply with the derogation.

This is the reality which BirdLife is finding it very difficult to accept and the quicker they do, and join in the efforts to curb illegal hunting, the better it would be to achieve the long overdue results.

In this connection I invite BirdLife to join forces, participate in all that is positive and feel free to accompany any hunters (wardens) in their efforts.

Success is not measured by reports, but by official release of numbers arraigned in court given periodically by the ALE.