BirdLife urges European Commission to act against Malta

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 10th 2010, 18:17

V Falzon, should I take your comment seriously? Have you never heard of the English expression of "providing the necessary tools"? Don't really think so. Actually you used this expression in your comment addressed to D Calleja attributing the "tools" to BLM!! Please, please, I expect serious comments! It might disappoint you to learn that Malta incorrectly applied the derogation for the years 2004-2007. It may now apply this derogation properly and in a legal manner so that the Maltese hunters may enjoy their Spring Hunting Season.

V Falzon, your multiple comments below indeed show what state of panic you must be in!

Fabian Borg

Mar 10th 2010, 13:16

@ Mark Sultana.

Ask EFA why he sent those INGLORIOUS AND NOTORIUS letters in 2003. Was it meant for the Labour Hunters ?
What I can surely say is that the hoax and lies before an election have become the order of the day but letters from the OPM on a National turnover like EU membership had to be better than that. Now we all learnet the lesson.
Too bad EFA never lifted a finger to defend all those that are suffering due to his lack of responsability.

Ray Mangani

Mar 10th 2010, 07:03

Yes Malta did break the law in2004,2005,2006,2007. because their was no derrogation applied as PROMISED IN WRITING. Now the government has the right to open Spring hunting season due to ECJ ruling!!!!
One other thing, this year the Prime Minister can open the season from today till the end of the year WITH NO CONSULTATIONS at all , if he wishes to becuse the entire study will be finshed by next June and nobody can complain about it .So a proper derrogation will commence next year. SO BLM and bella compagnia.... please sit back!!!
Thanks FKNK
@ Jonny Xerri
You wrote that hunters and Trappers come from Labour stronghold districts......
What about Rabat...............??

Henry Fenech Azzopardi

Mar 9th 2010, 23:25

Joe Mangion is once again trying to confuse the general public with sensational photo of a grey heron.

Illegal hunting was never an issue in the European Court of Justice. It is a lie to declare that with spring hunting illegal activity will be rampant. Birdlife have themselves declared that illegal activity was rampant last spring despite the closure of the season. It is therefore very obvious that we shall have the same pattern of illegal activity if we hunters are not in the country to act aginst illegal practice.

Birdlife have found themselves with their back to the brick wall declared by the ECJ. I have been stating that the agenda of Birdlife was to abolish hunting. Birdlife does not accept this statement but at the same time they keep insisting on a ban on hunting.

Since when is a turtle dove and a quail declared endangered species?

Why do you keep publishing protected birds when the whole issue involves these two species only?

Your game is up and by now the public is fully aware of the tactics used by birdlife. Where were you before the referendum? Hard luck mate swollow the pill and relax.

r sammut

Mar 9th 2010, 23:14

@V Falzon
And by the way, foreigners had all the chance to experience Malta without Spring hunting. Remember... the previous two year? You know why bird watchers never materialised? Because the migration bird numbers (let alone breeding) was nothing to clatter about, even without Spring hunting!

Chris Finch

Mar 9th 2010, 23:11

Andrew Gatt, Is that the best you can do?

There are according to whichever way the wind blows, between 12,000 and 20,000 hunters in Malta. That makes at least 400,000 non-hunters. The mainstream view is non-hunting, that makes those who enjoy killing for fun the extreme viewpoint. It also makes those of us who think killing for fun is wrong, the majority and most akin to the Maltese sentiment.

Oh, and if you think Birdlife is harming Malta's reputation abroad, have you read Johnny Xerri's posts? This from a hunter. When are we going to start hearing Sylvia's rants against him? Oh wait, he is a hunter so he can do no wrong.

George Cremona

Mar 9th 2010, 22:58

@V.Falzon
"BirdLife has always been firm in its action against illegal hunting and trapping. And never firmer than now."
Since when Birdlife was entrusted with lawmaking? Why "never firmer than now"? Are hunting laws being broken now? As far as I know what is in discussion at the moment is not law breaking but the derogation which is being proposed by Ornis, the official body which until some days ago was much respected and relied upon by Birdlife itself. Why is it now challenging Ornis' decision? Is it because such decision doesn't suit Birdlife purpose or is it because Birdlife thinks it is above the Government and above the country's institutions such as Ornis?
I repeat this is sheer arrogance, irresponsible, shameful and condemnable.

r sammut

Mar 9th 2010, 22:56

@priscilla coleiro
Where ever tourists come from they definitely have hunting. If they only witness it here then they never ventured out of their own back yard! You as your buddies BLM certainly hold foreigners in so high esteem! Sure some birds are reared and shot at by the well off. But in these same countries, much game is caught from wild than you guys care to admit! Snipe, grouse, woodcocks, gray partridges, wild ducks and geese, collard doves, woodpigeons, crows, golden plovers, thrushes and various song birds and more which are never breed but still shot with verve in European countries!

@V Falzon
If declaring to respect the ECJ ruling, and then do a full right about turn even before the ink had chance to dry up.
If hanging a banner against Malta at an international football match in Hungary
If making a deceitful documentary about Malta to be aired at Geo &Geo on RAI 3
If the figures are inflated to infuriate foreigners against Malta

If all that and more are OK with you and see no ethics infringements, then one of us not only wears blinkers but must be totally blindfolded!

salvu abela

Mar 9th 2010, 22:50

@ V.Falzon,
I have shown you facts given by Birdlife International and not fiction about the two huntable species ,Turtle doves and quail,which shows that they are very healthy in numbers.Now how can you confirm us that as you said that " thousands of hunters don't give a rat's nether parts whether a bird is protected or not, they will shoot it as soon as it comes into range of their accursed weapon ",after all by now nearly everyone is starting to realize who is telling the truth or not.
P.S. When you comment give facts not fiction.

Andrew Gatt

Mar 9th 2010, 22:23

@ V Falzon.......please spare me the regugitated garbage about main migratory routes and birdwatching tourism. If you want to see REAL bird migration, well, check out the Gibralter/Tunisia/Israel flyways. The Bekaa Valley ALONE gets 500 MILLION birds. That's where the tourists go. Don't make me laugh. We are 150 km away from the Tunisia-Sicily route and local migration greatly depends on the weather anyway. What bidwatching tourists?? All we get are the Birdife and CABS anti-huntng bidbrains at somehing like 20 euros a night in return for several million euros of bad publicty.

Tourism boycotts? Sure, MAN, here you are, see below. Enjoy.There's dozens like this idiot on the web. Go on, have a Google. And I accept your apology in advance.

http://10000birds.com/visit-malta-not-bloody-likely.htm

C. Agius

Mar 9th 2010, 22:09

I am not a hunter or a trapper and never been and as long as the argument was the protection of protected birds, Birdlife had my support throughout. But this latest Birdlife Malta move stinks of absolute arrogance and is DISGUSTINGLY IRRESPONSIBLE. When are they going to be put in check, the arrogant brats? I hope the Maltese government puts a check on you and stops any prospective funding or endorsement for EU funding. That is how you learn not to harm all of Malta with you irresponsibility!

Shame on you and whoever supports your irrational and harmful tactics. You have now gone way too far and something needs to be done to put you in check.

I reiterate that I am neither a hunter nor a trapper.

M. Cardona

Mar 9th 2010, 22:05

@ V Falzon and all alikes

you do seem to have a very flighty (excuse the pun) memory!

Let me ask.....Who reccomended prospective tourists to shred tourist brochures abroad in 1993 and thereabouts? Who put up the banner during the Malta Hungary football match last year? Who went to RAI to produce that shameful documentary last year. If I remember correctly it was Andre Raine taking the interview on the documentary. Need any more?

Moreover, even if you only associate with whoever was responsible for this and so many other vile tactics you are guilty by association. So why don't you keep a sharp look out for all the suggestions put forward by your CABS/ RSPB and your other networking buddies lest we think its all coming from dear ol' Birdlife.

V Falzon

Mar 9th 2010, 21:47

@ George Cremona: "I always supported Birdlife whenever it acted firmly against illegal hunting and trapping."

BirdLife has always been firm in its action against illegal hunting and trapping. And never firmer than now.

Johnny Xerri

Mar 9th 2010, 21:37

@ Mark Sultana,

If hunters as you say are labour supporters, then why did the prime minister at the time feel the need to include hunting in the manifesto for the EU referendum and election? I mean its pathetic to say the least to guarantee something in writting not in words, have it published and go the extra mile for no gain.

@ M Borg:

If a referendum on hunting is taken this should be complemetary to a retake of a referendum for the EU.

@ J Cutajar,

If not illegal in the legal sense its one thing. But morally and democratically its purely a blow below the belt. Why hold an election if the manifesto cannot be trusted. For me the end result of dictatorship and a false manifesto is the same. In one physical violence is used to rule and govern. In the other mental games are used to rule and govern.

I voted on a manifesto I expect it to be fulfilled, if not then my vote was 'stolen'

If the derogation is rejected I will blame the government, because he either promised the unobtainable or did not apply propely, both of which are his fault.

V Falzon

Mar 9th 2010, 21:34

@ Andrew Gatt

It's easy to accuse, isn't it! Just show me when or where BirdLife ever promoted a tourist boycott. You clearly have no idea what you are saying, do you? BirdLife WANTS foreigners to come, visit and enjoy the spectacle of bird migration in Malta, like they do in other countries lucky enough to be on the bird migration route. But of course for that to happen, we must first ensure that the birds are not blasted to bits the moment they try to land.

Meanwhile I repeat: show me just when BirdLife organised this tourist boycott. Substantiate your accusations, man.

George Cremona

Mar 9th 2010, 20:34

@J.Borg and Franco Farrugia.
I always supported Birdlife whenever it acted firmly against illegal hunting and trapping, against abusive actions by both hunters and trappers, whenever it called on the police and on local politicians to take action against such illegalities. I did so and I will do so in future if need be. But I cannot approve or support Birdlife's latest action which I consider as irrational, irresponsible and very harmful to our country's image and reputation. As a citizen I am duty bound to condemn and not endorse such unpatriotic deed.

V Falzon

Mar 9th 2010, 20:07

@ R. Sammut: "Ethical behaviour never formed part of BLM vocabulary"

So BirdLife is being unethical. Well well, that depends very much on your definition of ethical.

If you think being ethical means sweeping the truth under the carpet, to look nice...
If you think being ethical means witnessing crime and looking the other way...
If you think being ethical means keeping quiet and taking the easy way out...

Then BirdLife is certainly being unethical!

Marco Cremona

Mar 9th 2010, 19:52

Bird-hunting does NOTHING to improve Malta's image. To the contrary. Ask any tourist who dares venture for a stroll in the countryside.

priscilla coleiro

Mar 9th 2010, 19:50

@r sammut
Do you really believe that a tourist enjoying a stroll in the Maltese countryside has his holiday enriched by the violent sight of migratory birds being blasted out of the sky? Seems to me that you're turning your guns in the wrong direction by accusing BirdLife of scaring tourists away! If anyone cares about Malta's name it is BirdLife, who have tirelessly campaigned for an end to this shameful massacre of birds on their way to breeding grounds in the European countries that protect them. Where toursists come from, they create breeding programmes and habitats to draw these very birds to breed. Incidentally, you are wrong about the EU and derogations: no country has successfully applied a derogation to hunt in spring. The only hunting that goes on in spring, like ours, is illegal.

Andrew Gatt

Mar 9th 2010, 19:45

More gutter tactics and toilet ethics from the experts in deceit, intolerance and extremism.

Agreements mean nothing to them. Respecting confidentiality does not exist. U-turns are the name of the game. Misinformation and exaggeration are rampant.

And here they go again. Off they go, crying to mummy at the EU (the same EU that STATED UNEQUIVOCALLY that Autumn is not an alternative to Spring), egged on by their foreign leaders. What do they care about Malta anyway!

Sickening. At some point or other they've bad-mouthed the Government, the Courts, the Police, the ALE, the Prime Minister, various infrastructural projects and whatnot. Then come the threats, the demands, the petitions, the planned email campaigns, the tourist boycotts, the harming of Malta and the Maltese.

Sure, Chris Finch, Franco Farrugia, J Borg etc..... Iddefenduhom u Ifirhu bil-hsara lli jaghmlu lil-pajjizkom. Keep on parroting Birdlife's nonsense.

Comment all you like. Free world. Just don't call yourselves Maltese.

V Falzon

Mar 9th 2010, 19:44

@ D. Calleja

"without even a care to the harm you cause to our Islands' reputation"

BirdLife cares a lot about Malta's reputation, and it will use every tool it can to see Malta start doing its part in the protection of European biodiversity. But as long as a bunch of gun-toting bullies hold the government to ransom, Malta will remain an indelible black spot for birds in the Mediterranean.

V Falzon

Mar 9th 2010, 19:35

@ Salvu Abela
"I don`t know why BLM everytime that they put something in the Media they have to put a picture of a dead protected bird."

I will tell you why. Because dead protected birds are always the end-story of anything that has to do with hunting, that's why. And much as you deny it, it is no secret that thousands of hunters don't give a rat's nether parts whether a bird is protected or not, they will shoot it as soon as it comes into range of their accursed weapon.

M. Borg

Mar 9th 2010, 19:30

@J Xerri

BY all means let's hold a referendum - let's ask the people to go to the polls with two simple questions which - as is required by a referendum - concern matters that impact on every single Maltese voter:
1. Do you agree that Malta should open the spring hunting season and pay out of our taxes any fines imposed in we are found to be in breach of EU directives?
2. Should hunting continue to be permitted at all in Malta considering the absence of any sort of migratory birds that the general public can view in anything close to normal circumstances?

Are you game (sic!) Mr. Xerri?

V Falzon

Mar 9th 2010, 19:27

@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
"the ECJ provided the Maltese Government with the necessary tools for the opening of the Spring Hunting Season in a legal manner."
Where on earth DO you get your intel?! Necessary tools my foot! The ECJ doesn't give tools: it gives judgments. And its judgment was worryingly clear: Malta broke the law four times, by letting hunters hunt in spring of 2004, 2005, 2006 and 2007.

R. Galea

Mar 9th 2010, 19:17

Everybody is talking about the protection of our environment nowadays and the hunting lobby is urging our ENVIRONMENT MINISTER (the Prime minister Dr Gonzi himself) to open Spring Hunting. If our Environment Minister really wants to be on the protection side of the environment, he should see that NO birds are killed during their journey to Europe to rear their young, and show the Maltese and tourists that he means business, and stop this bloody killing of birds once and for all. Do not let the hunters run this country. The Majoriy of Maltese and the foreigners that visit our Islands want a hunting-free Spring.

r sammut

Mar 9th 2010, 18:58

BLM never tire grinding at the same axe! While most countries enjoy a healthy influx of even hunting tourism, here in Malta we have BirdLife doing its utmost to scare all genre of tourist away! Their scaremongering tactics against hunting go unabated; disregarding even their own word as signatories to adhere to the ECJ ruling.

Ethical behaviour never formed part of BLM vocabulary, but to have dyed-in-the-wool compatriots who also not give a fig about Malta’s name??? Hunting goes on all over the globe and derogations are applied by the hundreds in many EU states. Our miniscule derogation is shown worse than a sore thumb by BLM. Their only fixation is to eradicate hunting from Malta, cost what it costs. BLM never jeopardised one thing though; the foreign funds pouring into their coffers!

J.Cutajar

Mar 9th 2010, 18:50

Johnny Xerri
Elections do not become illegal because you don't get what politicians promised.
By believing them your vote made the election result perfectly legal, if it didn't then why do hunters & trappers constantly threaten with their votes?. Yes gov can apply a derogation ..but some applications can get refused.....then who will you blame?? the ECJ,or Gonzi?
There is a choice however... so now you know who to vote for next.

mark sultana

Mar 9th 2010, 18:34

@ Jonny Xerri

did you say humble?....it's more pathetic to be honest with you. How come you are not considering not to opne spring hunting as an option if derogation is not possible? you suggest either we break the law and we retake a referendum.....pathetic.

Do you really think we are in the EU thanks to Hunters??? most hunters are from labour stronghold districts anyway, so threatening this gov that hunters will chnage governmnet etc is ridiculous.

Keep up the good work Birdlife.

M

Johnny Xerri

Mar 9th 2010, 18:09

My humble opinion:

1. If a derogation is permisable, governmnet is democratically obliged to apply one, since that is what was promised in teh EU referendum and 2003 election.

If a derogation is not possible government has two options:

1. Get fined and open the season, to hell with any EU law. or
2. Retake the EU referendum.

If the Maltese didn't want fines or didn't want a derogation they should have spoken before the vote was taken, not after.

Anything less is simple abuse of power, dictatorship and illegal election

kevin francica

Mar 9th 2010, 18:08

Whatever anyone says, after the ECJ ruling it is ONLY in the Prime Ministers hands whether to open this spring hunting season. The question is - is he going to use his par idejn sodi and open the season as promised before the referendum and for which whoever gave a yes agreed with, or are his par idejn sodi going to start trembling with Birdlifes bullying tactics????

D.Calleja

Mar 9th 2010, 17:44

Go on Birdlife Malta, keep digging your own grave!

Shame on you and all those who still support you in your devilish crusade. Do you have to act like children, spitting out your dummy and throwing tantrums whenever you don't get your own way; without even a care to the harm you cause to our Islands' reputation and economy!

salvu abela

Mar 9th 2010, 17:41

I don`t know why BLM everytime that they put something in the Media they have to put a picture of a dead protected bird,if the subject is against the opening of Spring hunting why don`t they put a picture of a turtle dove or a quail or maybe BLM are trying to attract the sympathy of those readers who wouldn`t have any idea about the subject of hunting. For those who say that turtle-doves and quail are declining here is the web-site of the IUCN red list of mammals and birds and in no way those two species are mentioned only BLM keeps saying that they are declining,LIES as always.

http://cmsdata.iucn.org/downloads/2008rl_stats_tables_all.xls

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=2498&m=0

http://www.birdlife.org/datazone/species/index.html?action=SpcHTMDetails.asp&sid=194&m=0

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 9th 2010, 17:39

J Cachia, being patriotic towards one's country does not make one sick! Actually, it is people like you who make me sick!! Nobody has a right to unjustly tarnish Malta's image. If you can accept that, well, the majority of the Maltese citizens will not! As for your suggestion to write to the EU, do you by any chance consider yourself above the law? Whether you like it or not AND notwithstanding BLM stamping its feet, the Spring Hunting Season may be opened within the parameters of the law!

Chris Finch, your usual stereo-type comment!! Give us a break!

MARK MIFSUD BONNICI

Mar 9th 2010, 17:39

ALL THESE STATEMENTS JUST IN THIS ONE LETTER:

* BirdLife urges European Commission to act against Malta
* The government has once again caved in to pressure
* Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has not taken any effective steps
* our Prime Minister seems more intent on appeasing the hunting lobby
* BirdLife also reminded the Maltese authorities
* It urged the new EU Commissioner for Environment
* Malta's 'disregard' to EU laws

I'M NOT QUITE SURE, BUT IT SEEMS SOMETHING IS NOT ACCORDING TO BIRD LIFE'S LIKING.

THE LAST THING I REMEBER IS THAT BIRDLIFE AGREED WITH HUNTING IN AUTUMN.

DO ANY OF THE STATEMENT ABOVE DISTINGUISH BETWEEN SPRING HUNTING AND HUNTING IN AUTUMN?

HYPOCRITES AT THEIR VERY BEST?

COME AUTUMN WE WILL HAVE MORE OF THE SAME.

Chris Finch

Mar 9th 2010, 17:25

1. Birdlife did not lose the ECJ court case, Malta did when the ECJ ruled that it opened the Spring hunting seasons between 2004 and 2007 illegally.

That is the simple fact.

The hunters have been lead on a wild goose chase by their leaders. All this vitriol against Birdlife and those who are protectors of this country's environment is only serving to show what bloody minded people the hunting lobby is.
What is clear is that the hunters care nothing for the rest of the population as they are willing to risk us all being fined just so they can shoot birds in spring.

Paul Debono

Mar 9th 2010, 17:20

@Chris Galea

The Commission did not state that - this is your interpretation....

Read below about the Cyprus situation

Chris Galea

Mar 9th 2010, 17:08

the commission tell us the court ruling left us the door ajar for limited spring hunting then BLM come out with this.........unbelievable !

Paul Debono

Mar 9th 2010, 17:05

Cyprus agrees not to allow future spring hunting

In June 2007 the Commission sent a first written warning to Cyprus regarding a two-day derogation permitting the spring hunting of turtle doves (Streptopelia turtur) on 6 and 9 May 2007, and warned that any future derogation would constitute a generalized practice of bad application of the Birds Directive. The Cypriot authorities agreed not to renew the derogation, and the Commission has decided to close the case, although it will continue to monitor the situation in the future to ensure that any derogations comply fully with the Birds Directive.

http://europa.eu/rapid/pressReleasesAction.do?reference=IP/07/1509&guiLanguage=en

J.Cachia

Mar 9th 2010, 17:04

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

tsk tsk, for a non hunter, now, you are taking this too at heart. Take it easy, you can become sick you know, having such panic attacks.

Is there a place anyone can report to the commission? Not just BLM but if all of us, people who are for the environment unite and send warning notes to the European Commission, I am sure they will warn the government not to be a maverick for hunters votes who most of them vote labour anyway.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Mar 9th 2010, 16:52

SHAME AND SHAME ON YOU BLM! You are indeed acting like kids! Where is your integrity? As most readers must know, I have always defended the rights of the many law-abiding Maltese hunters BUT I believe that now I have also to defend my country! Enough is enough! You have no right to tarnish our dear Malta's image! Maybe I can understand that foreigners leading this NGO decide to tarnish Malta's image but seeing Joseph Mangion doing so is incomprehensible! THE MALTESE GOVERNMENT HAS THE DUTY TOWARDS THE MALTESE CITIZENS TO DEFEND MALTA'S IMAGE! Dr Gonzi, I urge you to take all the necessary action against all those who unjustly tarnish our dear Malta's image!

D.Caruana

Mar 9th 2010, 16:45

Att: Mark Sultana, Ramon Casha, Paul Debono.

Sorry to break it to you but......................
It is clearly stated in the same bird's directive that BLM boast so much about that a derogation for limited spring hunting may be applied should the outumn season not be sufficeint! As long as it is under strict supervision. There you go. Get your fact right please.

Now, the court ruled against Malta for previous years since the season was too long and uncontrolled. HOWEVER, (please excuse the caps) IT ALSO STATED THAT THE AUTUMN SEASON IS NOT SUFFICIENT which in turn means?????

Wake up and smell the coffee.....birdlife are misleading you with their comments.

J. Borg

Mar 9th 2010, 16:35

@ George Cremona
Shame, Disgusting, Condemn...Birdlife? For what?
For thanklessly making a stand against hunters' abuses?
For suffering arson attacks and more?
For striving to safeguard and protect a few nature reserves?
For championing the cause of cleaning our countryside from gunshots and lead pellets?
For claiming that the public has a right to enjoy the countryside and birds, without physical and verbal threats?
For calling "our" politicians bluff, as the political class chase hunters' votes at the expense of the well-being of everyone else and our economy?
Maybe because BirdLife never resorted to arson attacks?
Maybe because BirdLife never inscribed "Delizju jew intajru" on heritage sites?

If FKNK is so sure about its interpretation of the ECJ decision - one would expect that it joins in with Dr.Gonzi, the AG, John Attard Montalto, and commrades to finance the fines that Malta will be exposed to if the irresponsible decision to introduce spring hunting is taken...

Franco Farrugia

Mar 9th 2010, 16:26

@ George Cremona - Be sensible. It is not Birdlife that are ruining 'Malta's reputation' but the hunters and trappers, as well as any MPs who silently and quietly continue pushing on and encouraging the hunters and trappers in their killing quest! That is what is harming 'Malta's reputation'! Mela ninsewhom l-ghasafar imbiccra u mejtin?!

jbusuttil

Mar 9th 2010, 16:26

I have always supported birdlife against hunting but this I cannot accept because you not only want to save birds but are ready to kill my bread and butter. Hekk sewwa in this time of recession you are not only against the hunters but against all the Maltese population by hindering tourism. Shame on you.

N.Calleja

Mar 9th 2010, 16:12

By now Birdlife is becoming vindictive against hunters and is acting like a little boy that lost the game. If I remember correctly Birdlife had agreed to abide by the ECJ's decision. When it lost the case, it started a venomous crusade against hunters and now against the government because there is a clear chance that there is going to be a short spring hunting season. Enough is enough and Birdlife should be forced to stop this campaign against hunters, especially in international fora!

George Cremona

Mar 9th 2010, 16:10

I am not a hunter. I've never been. I am against illegal hunting and long hunting seasons as well.
But I am also as much disgusted with Birdlife's irresponsible and arrogant actions which are damaging Malta's image and reputation. SHAME ON YOU BIRDLIFE. YOUR DEEDS ARE DISGUSTING AND CONDEMNABLE. EVERY TRUE CITIZEN SHOULD COME FORWARD AND CONDEMN YOUR RECENT ACTIONS.

M.Abela

Mar 9th 2010, 16:02

birdlife Malta is doing more damage to the country's reputation by doing these statements and urging the EU to take further action against Malta than the hunters themselves.
birdlife organisation please do a favour and STOP TAKING US FOR A RIDE & STOP USING MALTA AS A CASE TO USE OVER OTHER EU members, as the other commentors said below Malta has already been scrutinized by the ECJ last year and found that limited hunting season on 2 species could be done. If the problem is that there are only 25 police officers and few cars available to follow on hunters then, that is not the hunters' problem- while it is not a justified reason to stop spring hunting from taking place!

Paul Debono

Mar 9th 2010, 15:55

Shame on the hunters for giving such misleading information!

1) Malta lost the court case for spring hunting.
2) Because the ECJ commented that autumn hunting was no real substitute does not mean that ECJ gave its blessing for spring hunting.
3) Spring hunting of Turtle Dove and Common Quail is not permitted under the European Union Birds Directive.

mark sultana

Mar 9th 2010, 15:48

I think the hunters and their lobby group have taken it for granted that the ECJ ruled in favour of spring hunting. To the contrary, it stated that the GOV was unlawful. It is true that it added that one couldn't argue that autumn is considered an adequate replacement for spring, but it was still illegal to open the season.

One question, if as some are stating, that the ECJ ruling is clear and that it is legal for Malta to open spring hunting, why hasn't the gornment already declared that he is doing so? Why isn't the Gov stating that he is confident that he will get a derrogation?

The gov knows that just because autumn is not a substitute to spring, this on it's own does not justify opening another spring season, by derogation or by right. He knows he needs to prove a lot of other issues before he is sure he won't be taken back to court.

At the moment everyone is just specultaing and wishful thinking, while I am just hoping we can enjoy a free hunting countryside for this spring and many others to come.

Joe Camilleri

Mar 9th 2010, 15:39

BLM, you are just clutching at straws.

"Malta continues to be the black spot" and then you say that you are not harming tourisim.

"other member states start opening spring hunting seasons." Well most of the EU member states already have their spring hunting season open, in fact many maltese hunters went abroad in these last two years to practice spring hunting, me included.

Mario Ellul

Mar 9th 2010, 15:29

There you go. The die hard hunters that cannot live without their bird killing instincts. You fight for your rights, Birdlife are fighting their's and of many other thousands who don't have a say in this. Get on with your life and find another non killing hobby will you. Shame on you Mr D. Fenech mela Birdlife.

Ramon Casha

Mar 9th 2010, 15:28

The ECJ did NOT rule that the government can open another spring hunting season.

Those who are telling you that it did are doing the same as those who said that the EU would not impact hunting or trapping. They are taking advantage of your eagerness to see what you want to see.

D.Caruana

Mar 9th 2010, 15:27

BLM are doing an Alfred Sant here. (With all respect to him)
Remember when Alfred Sant had said that he won the referendum? and all facts proved otherwise?
Birdlife are twisting wording in the same manner to feed the gullible misinformation about the ECJ ruling.

paul fava

Mar 9th 2010, 15:27

Dr. Gonzi the question is very simple. Spring hunting was promised to us by YOU before the 2003 referendum and general election. To make matters worse for you, the European Court of Justice declared that our Autumn season cannot be a substitute for our Spring one. Therefore it legally follows that malta has the dire need to submit a derogation to make good for the poor autumn season. So the equation is that if you give in once again to BLM propoganda we shall reply by saying no spring hunting no vote. The ball is in your court now.

Clint Camilleri

Mar 9th 2010, 15:20

@ Birdlife

You signed this agreement : http://www.face.eu/Documents/Press%20releases/2009/Final%20BirdLife%20and%20FACE%20Statement%20ECJ%20sept%2009.pdf

Or now this doesn't count? Your hypocrisy and lies are unbelievable!

M Busuttil

Mar 9th 2010, 15:11

BirdLife's............................. TIJATRINI!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

D.Fenech

Mar 9th 2010, 15:00

Shame on you Birdlife !!!

You really don't know how to accept the reality, that is that you are no longer credible, even by the EU. The ECJ did not accept your argumentation since the court understood that you were trying to mislead even the highest institution within the EU. SHAME ON YOU for trying to betray fellow maltese citizens to put forward your agenda. Ooops sorry, but I forgot that birdlife Malta is run by foreigners who decided to close their eyes on what happens in their countries and instead try to assure discirmination against maltese citizens. Shame on you since you do not even respect the agreement Birdlife International and FACE signed the day before the ECJ sentence, where they said that both parties will respect the sentence. Your counterparts in europe seem to adhere to this agreement while Birdlife Malta insists to damage our country's reputation. SHAME !!!!!

M. Cardona

Mar 9th 2010, 14:51

@ Birdlife

this was already submitted to the European Commission.

Action was taken and case was referred for ECJ ruling

ECJ ruling which Birdlife bound itself to honour REMEMBER?

http://www.face.eu/Documents/Press%20releases/2009/Final%20BirdLife%20and%20FACE%20Statement%20ECJ%20sept%2009.pdf

But what else could one have expected from Birdlife?

If an ECJ ruling is ever over-ruled by the Commission, why do we need the ECJ in the first place?

Nyal Xuereb

Mar 9th 2010, 14:38

So Birdlife are asking the commission to disregard the EJC ruling. So why did the EU take us to court anyway? Will not that have a domino effect on the EU court decisions? And by the way, other EU countries do use derogations and do hunt in spring, so why is Malta different?