Kurt Sansone
Hunters deem brief season obscene
No agreement on how to define 'limited hunting'
Just a quarter of hunters would be allowed to hunt in the last week of April for a limited amount of quail and turtle dove under legal provisions issued yesterday by the government.
The regulations were immediately shot down by the hunters' federation, FKNK, which described them as "obscene" and "ridiculous".
Under the regulations, spring hunting can be held between April 24 and April 30 until noon and excluding Sunday. Hunters will have to apply for 2,500 special licences and only 3,900 quail and 3,600 turtle doves can be shot in the season.
The government said that in the eventuality that more than 2,500 hunters applied, the names would be drawn by lot. There are about 10,000 registered hunters.
The decision comes more than a month after the government's consultative body on hunting, the Ornis Committee, proposed a hunting season between April 10 and April 30 with bag limits of 10,837 quail and 22,298 turtle dove.
FKNK secretary Lino Farrugia said the government wanted "to take people for a ride", describing the decision to limit the special licences to 2,500 as discriminatory.
The federation called on members not to apply for the licences and gave the government until Thursday to change the regulations and bring them in line with what Ornis had suggested.
Mr Farrugia warned the issue was not over. However, street protests were being ruled out for the moment because of rising tension among hunters.
"The federation is seeking legal advice to determine the best way to protect the civil rights of hunters, which the government has ignored even though there is a European Court of Justice ruling that says autumn is not a satisfactory alternative to spring," he said, accusing the Prime Minister of reneging on his pre-electoral promise that hunters would not lose out on their hobby.
Accusing Lawrence Gonzi of caving in to BirdLife Malta's demands, Mr Farrugia said he "might as well pass on the reins of power to BirdLife".
FKNK public relations officer Joe Perici Calascione used equally harsh words to describe the decision.
"It was sadistic for Lawrence Gonzi to allow the decision to drag on and finally come up with an unacceptable season that does not do justice with the ECJ ruling," Mr Perici Calascione said, insisting the federation would instruct its members not to hunt because it did not want to set a precedent that could be used against them in future.
"We want a proper season. Our proposals were drawn up scientifically using the methodology spelt out by the ECJ and they would not have landed the country in trouble with the European Commission," he said. The delay to open the hunting season caused hunters a lot of "hurt and psychological torment", Mr Perici Calascione added.
The FKNK had originally suggested a spring hunting season between April 1 and May 10 and hunters had to choose 30 days within the period. They had also proposed bag limits that were much higher than those accepted by Ornis.
The Ornis proposals were unacceptable, Mr Perici Calascione said, but they were "workable".
In a statement, the government said it had talks with European Commission officials but no agreement was reached on the definition of limited hunting.
Special licences would cost €25 with funds aimed at financing law enforcement. Applications for the licences would be made at post offices between Monday and Thursday.
Licence holders would have a quota of two birds per day and a maximum of three birds per licence. The licence holders would have to wear a special identification armband. They would also have to report every bird caught through SMS.
All those breaking the law would lose their special licence and general hunting licence and face the penalties. The season will be closed once the limit was reached.
Hunting marshals will be recruited on a voluntary basis to help the police enforce the law.
The Labour Party accused Dr Gonzi of not keeping his word with hunters. It said he was trying to appease hunters and environmentalists but instead only showed the government's "hypocrisy and mediocrity".
"The government's decision risks undermining its own case before the Commission," the party said.
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N.Lawrence
Apr 11th 2010, 09:27
A message to all hunters.
Go and stand in front of a mirror, look hard at your reflection and say "There stands a fool who trusted the words of a politician".
g.c.Forte
Apr 11th 2010, 12:44
Very well said, and while doing this they should say , " Mia Culpa.....Mia Culpa Mia Maxima Culpa "................... And when time comes, we all forget, and vote to that party that have been making a monkey out of you as from before the Referendum and not once, not twice but for more than three times this party fooled you, because ..............FLIMKIEN KOLLOX PSSIBLI.
Paul A. Camilleri
Apr 11th 2010, 09:23
@ Luke Gatt
Just to let you know that the old ways (voting for the party your parents voted for ) is now out dated. Gone are the days of this old practice. With regards the running of the country, I decide what only matters to me, and not to my neighbour. If the government is JEOPARDIZED, it is only because they have run out of ideas. What do you expect after 30 years running. I refer to your quote saying that people stopped being NATIONALISTS Yesterday, I STOPPED BEING ONE, 2 YEARS AGO, some think of late. Ater all not all are perfect. After all have you ever heard of the saying, and I quote : ONE MAN"S FOOD IS ANOTHER MAN"S POISON. I Hope that answers all. Another one for the road is, that next Election, this Government can keep his carrots dipped in Syrup for when they are in opposition, as we are not going to fall for it again. The hunters will show their MIGHT with their VOTE. ( When I say hunters, I mean the ones with guns) not the ones for VOTES.
Luke Gatt
Apr 11th 2010, 10:46
First things first; my eye sight is still fine no need to use capital letter. Secondly what my parents did whilst in the voting booth I do not care. Thirdly dream on Mr.Camilleri by 2013 hunting will cease to exist and no PN or LP will open it again.
Moreover if you think that hunting is more important than the economy fine go ahead; who cares about jobs when we can go hunting for birds and live off the glorious land called Malta.
mario attard
Apr 10th 2010, 21:03
bilhaqq hbieb ghadna lotterija il- gimgha diehla tal licenzja tal -kacca! ! x;dahq mela l' PN madux jemmen li ma tistax tiddiskrimina ? Dr Gonzi tinsiex x'wedtna qabel l'elezzjoni! Tinsiex li wedtuna li mhux se jsir tibdil jekk mhux ghall ahjar ???
Dr Francis Saliba
Apr 10th 2010, 21:00
@MikeMagri
I have been to most of the countries you mentioned and I assure you that in those places you can still sit in the public parks and gardens and enjoy the sight of beautiful birds hopping round your feet and singing in the nearby trees. Thanks to the indiscrimate hunting this is no longer possible in Malta. Most local people would prefer that our few copses would be returned to the general public and to the birds witout the risk of being blasted to kingdom come!
Charles Briffa
Apr 10th 2010, 20:43
Priministru bla kuxjenza m ghand fadal iktar x jaghmel lu juri kemm hu bniedem li meta jweddek xi haga kun cert li ha jghamel il kontra ez kacca, dawl u ilma , mepa, ambjent, koruzzjoni u elf haga ohra.
Jekk veru l erwropa hi bil kuxjenza missa itella lil gonzi l qorti talli ma jghamilx li tghid l ewropa.
Tal misthija
Dr Francis Saliba
Apr 10th 2010, 20:27
@ Sylvana Zarb Darmanin.
The shooting of God's beautiful birds is always an obscene and abhorrent wanton destruction of God's creatures for selfish cruel fun whether it occurs in or out of the hunting season. Calling it "GAME" does not change anything. The same description of obscenity applies equally to for cruel torture of bulls in a bullring for the delectation of sadistic spectators, mostly tourists.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 10th 2010, 19:18
5.
AGGORNAT Nru 156 – 29.12.2002:-
76 Special Arrangements: During the course of negotiations for accession in the EU, Malta obtained a total of 76 special arrangements in 13 sectors. All special arrangements take note of Malta’s particular circumstances.
Environment:
10. Malta will apply a derogation whereby Maltese hunters can continue hunting quail and turtledoves in Spring.
No wonder the Maltese hunters, their families and truly democratic and sensible Maltese citizens are disgusted at Dr L Gonzi's shameful decision!!!!!!!!!!!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 10th 2010, 19:16
4.
Ministeru ta’l-Intern u l-Ambjent – Emendi Ghar-Regolamenti Dwar il-Kacca u L-Insib – 1 ta’ Frar 2003:-
- L-Istagun baqa’ l-istess.
- L-ghasafar li tista’ ssir kacca fuqhom huma:-
- Rebbiegha (25 ta’ Marzu sat-22 ta’ Mejju): 2 speci (gamiem u summien)
ghax f’dan iz-zmien dawn huma l-ghasafar li jpassu.
L-emendi ghal dawn ir-Regolamenti saru biex il-kacca u l-insib f’Malta ikun mharsa. Bil-ftehim li ghamel il-Gvern Malti mal-Unjoni Ewropeja bhala parti mill-pakkett ta’shubija, l-Unjoni Ewropeja accettat il-kacca u l-insib f’Malta fir-Rebbiegha. Dan minhabba l-fatt li l-Unjoni Ewropeja fehmet li l-kacca u l-insib f’Malta jsiru ghall-ghasafar li jpassu u n-numru ta’ dawn l-ghasafar huwa zghir. L-ghan tal-Birds Directive ta’ l-Unjoni Ewropeja mhuwiex li jinqatghu l-kacca u l-insib izda biex dawn ikunu sostenibbli u biex ma jinqerdux certi speci ta’ ghasafar.
Department of Information, Malta – 21.08.2002:-
Il-pozizzjoni komuni li wasalna sa llum fuqha mal-Kummissjoni Ewropeja tassigur li, ghar-rigward tal-Kacca:
1. Il-kacca fir-rebbiegha ghall-gamiem (turtle dove) u ghas-summien (quail) mill-25 ta’ Marzu sal-21 ta’Mejju se tibqa.
.../5
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 10th 2010, 19:15
3.
Aggornat – Mahrug mic-Centru ta’l-Informazzjoni dwar Malta u l-Unjoni Ewropea – Ottubru 2002:-
L-Unjoni Ewropea u Malta qablu li:
- Tibqa’ l-kacca ghall-ghasafar fir-Rebbiegha
- L-insib jibqa’ jsir, anki fir-Rebbiegha
MIC – Malta-EU Information Centre – Frar 2003:-
Malta argumentat li l-kacca f’Malta hi pprattikata l-aktar fir-Rebbiegha ghaliex tiddependi mill-ghasafar tal-passa. L-UE accettat dawn l-argumenti u Malta se tkun tista’ zzomm il-kacca fir-Rebbiegha u fil-Harifa, anki wara shubija.
…wara shubija, il-kaccaturi Maltin se jkunu jistghu jibqghu jmorru ghall-kacca fir-Rebbiegha. Izda l-kacca fir-Rebbiegha se tkun limitata ghall-gamiem u s-summien, li huma l-aktar zewg speci principali li jigu kkaccjati f’dan iz-zmien tas-sena.
M’hemmx limitu impost mill-EU fuq in-numru ta’ licenzji ghall-kaccaturi.
.../4
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 10th 2010, 19:14
2.
Eddie Fenech Adami – Prim Ministru – April 2003:-
Dak li l-Gvern Nazzjonalista ftiehem ma’ l-Unjoni Ewropea hu miktub bl-iswed fuq l-abjad fit-Trattat ta’ Shubija. Da jassigura li l-kaccaturi u n-nassaba bhalek se jkomplu jipprattikaw id-delizzju taghhom fis-shih.
….Dan ifisser li r-regolamenti ta’ llum se jibqghu.
Kien hawn min ipprova jizra’ l-incertezza biex forsi jisraq xi vot. Intqal hafna kliem fieragh minn nies li ghandhom agenda politika imma hemm bzonn li nibqghu biss fuq il-fatti:
- La l-kacca u lanqas l-insib m’huma projbiti fl-Unjoni Ewropea. Ghall kuntrarju jibqghu delizzji pprattikati b’certu akkanizmu.
- Minkejja dan, il-ftehim li ghamel il-Gvern ma’ l-Unjoni Ewropea jpoggi l-kaccaturi u n-nassaba Maltin f’pozizzjoni ahjar minn dak tal-pajjizi l-ohra tal-UE ghax hu bbazat fuq il-fatturi geografici ta’ Malta, id-daqs tal-pajjiz u n-nuqqas ta’ ghasafar residenti.
- Ghalhekk, ghalkemm fil-pajjizi ta’ L-Unjoni Ewropea hemm restrizzjonijiet fuq il-kacca fir-Rebbiegha, f’Malta dawn ir-restrizzjonijiet mhux se japplikaw ghall-gamiem u s-summien, iz-zewg ghasafar ghal qalb il-kacca f’Malta u Ghawdex.
- L-insib se jkompli. Anki wara l-2007, jghidu x’jghidu dawk bl-agenda politika.
Gvern Nazzjonalista jhares l-interessi tieghek, inkluz id-delizzju tieghek.
.../3
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 10th 2010, 19:14
For the information of readers, I am reproducing below quotes from the guarantees given by Dr EFA, MIC and Co to the Maltese hunters and trappers. These are meant to expose the deceit, disrespect and above all the farcical and discriminatory decision taken by Dr L Gonzi. I apologise to foreign readers as most of these quotes are in Maltese.
Eddie Fenech Adami – Prim Ministru – Marzu 2003:-
Il-Gvern Malti fin-negozjati ma’ l-Unjoni Ewropea irsista biex igib kundizzjonijiet favorevoli ghall-kaccaturi u n-nassaba. U hekk sar.
Ir-regolamenti bl-iswed fuq l-abjad jassiguraw li inti u l-kaccaturi u n-nassaba tipprattikaw id-delizzju taghkom. Illum inti taf fejn int.
Gibna derogi unici, li l-ebda pajjiz iehor ma ghandu bhalhom
.../2
Luke Gatt
Apr 10th 2010, 19:08
So it seems that hunting is more important in this country than the education of our children and the state of the economy. Shows how mature this country is. I pity you all, please stop the 'i want it all i want i now' mentality!
Further more stop using hunting to blackmail the government, you are in no position to jeopardize the running of this country do not be selfish.
NB; Do not bother to accuse me of being a nationalist i know i am one no need to point it out; unlike the so called 'i was a nationalist till yesterday people' my values are not superficial as yours they do not sway according to how much i will gain or lose.
r agius
Apr 10th 2010, 17:12
Dear mr Wilfred Camilleri. Just to put you in the picture, what you are suggesting is like asking a fisherman to go fishing decoys or asking the spanish to enter the arena with a robot bull...needless to say..and by the way are you a vegitarian ? if not please refrain from speaking about killing and other sorts of drammatic language to describe hunting. Can you imagine a fisherman saying " I've just killed a fish" ???!!! that's exactly what you are saying.
Mike Magri
Apr 10th 2010, 17:00
Will SOMEONE, including those at GonziPN`s REGIME, please tell us if Spain, Italy, France, Portugal, England, Ireland, Greece, etc.. etc., have the same, or almost the same, hunting laws as GonziPN`s in Malta & Gozo...!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!?????????????!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!???????????
This GonziPN `THING`, must have lost its marbles......!!!
Charles Sammut
Apr 10th 2010, 16:59
I am against bird shooting but that does not change the shameful way GonziBUS has taken the shooters for a ride. It would have been more honourable of him to have told them "No", in the first place and stuck to his guns.
As it is, it is an insult to these people's intelligence, limited though it might be.
Wilfred L Camilleri
Apr 10th 2010, 16:44
What's obscene and ridiculous is hunting and the killing of birds for pleasure not that the hunting season is so short. Those who like shooting guns can shoot at clay pigeons or at targets and let the beautiful birds fly free and in safety. They can also shoot birds using a camera. If the Prime Minister had any guts and any sense of justice he would have banned hunting outright. The European Commission should take the Maltese government to task and stop this nonsense once and for all.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 10th 2010, 15:42
Edward Camilleri, FKNK's and ORNIS' proposals were not a "normal spring hunting season" but a LIMITED Spring Hunting. Dr L Gonzi's is a FARCICAL and DISCRIMINATORY spring hunting season!!
John Zarb, one's words and actions speak volumes about the individual!! I assure you that the many law-abiding hunters are educated enough as not to stoop so low as you did or to ridicule and discriminate the way our PM did!! I assure you that the countryside is littered with left-overs and garbage from certain anti's who trespass onto private property, and leave behind left-overs from BBQ's and picnics.
Dr Francis Saliba, here we are discussing the Spring Hunting Season, i.e. the shooting of GAME! Hence your comment is void and baseless!
Finally, can MEPA enlighten us how it managed to print, pack and dispatch to hunters the Application and documentation regarding the Special Licence in less than 24 hours?! Was the PM's decision taken before yesterday?! Are MEPA so efficient?! Do they need to "sell" this farcical Special Licence so much?!
Anthony Formosa
Apr 10th 2010, 15:37
M'ghandix kliem biex niddiskrivi l'agir ta dan il-gvern dittatorjali u halliel tal-voti.
James Borg
Apr 10th 2010, 15:17
@John Zarb
Imissek tisthi titkellem hekk.
1) Kieku ma jkunux il-kaccaturi ghandna hafna mill-hdura f'Malta mitluqa ghax huma biex jaghtu kaza.
2) Barra minn hekk ikolli nghid li qas taf li l-gebel tas-sejjieh huma parti mil-kultura taghna.
3) Tista' tghidli x'ghandom x'jaqsmu l-pick ups second hand tal-Gappun ma' dan kollu? Jekk int tiflah tixtri BMW gdida good luck to you imma dawn xorta ma ghandom xejn hziena.
IL-Maltin jisthu li ghandom niex bhalek fosthom.
Nathan Bonnici
Apr 10th 2010, 15:11
'2500!' - the ones who made it past the post office...out in cinemas near you on the 24th April! lol
A.Gauci Cunningham
Apr 10th 2010, 14:47
I agree with those who see very little sense in hunting but that is not the issue here. The issue is that these people were promised that with the EU hunting would not be touched and now its not only being "touched" but practically closed. The other issue here is that opening the hunting season for 6 mornings for 2,500 (out of around 13,000 hunters)is nothing short of pathetic and is a last desperate attempt by the PM to win the hunting vote yet again in the next election. How? This year he'll open 6 days, next year he'll open 15, in 2012 he'll open 20 and right before the election he'll open the season for a whole month. And viola...a few hundreds of them will vote PN yet again. Or so Gonzi hopes!!!
joe vella caruana
Apr 10th 2010, 14:20
Short derided season for the hunters but a whole years for Bird watchers ( or peeping toms!!!!)
Anthony Roberts
Apr 10th 2010, 14:06
What is obscene, the fact that they have been given a short week to kill or the actuall killing of the birds?
Dr Francis Saliba
Apr 10th 2010, 14:02
What is really obscene is not the brevity of the hunting season but the insensitivity of those who find pleasure in the wanton destruction of God's beautiful birds, not for food, not for pest control but for the atavistic selfish recreation of macho hunters.
John Zarb
Apr 10th 2010, 13:27
Veru jaghmluna unur li ahna Maltin dawn il-kaccaturi. Dawk l-iskratac dejjem imxerrdin mal-kampanja qalb is-saghtar. Dawk il-girni maghmulin bil-gebel tas-sejjiegh u msaqqfin b'xi bicca 'corrugated iron' imsadda u mibnija bi skart iehor. (b'xi batterija ta' karozza perezempju) Dawk il-pickups 'second hand' mill-Gappun li juzaw (favoriti ukoll mal- Al Qaeda) u li jaghtu dik it-tema ta' pajjiz tat-tielet dinja f'Malta. Dak it-tbiccir tal-ghasafar bl-addocc
Le, le din il-komunita' irridu naraw x'naghmlu biex naqduha ghax veru jzewqulna l-kultura taghna bid-delizzju taghhom.
M.Galea
Apr 10th 2010, 13:17
Where is Eddie, Simon Busuttil ??? False promises ?!! What a SHAME !! Shame on you !! If you have nothing to hide come out and speak in public about this.
Maltese are not stupid. I guess this attitude is once again a clear sign that the PN fully know that next election they stand NO chance! Who is taking the political responsibility for this farce ?!?!
Mathew Mallia
Apr 10th 2010, 13:16
I think that if the season was open to all licensed hunters and not just 2500 and the season opened according to the ornis commitee terms, then this is acceptable.
How about 11th April til 30th April but only til 10am?that would be limited also but the PM should not discriminate between only a lucky few to hunt.
It cant be illegal if the PM has already cleared it with the EU.
I am not a hunter but when u search the WWW it clearly shows that hunting is a HUGE pastime throughout the world,in many countries all yr round with no bag limits.
I truly feel that the hunters should have the tables of latest fiasco turned around.
Final words...give them what was promised
M.Mallia Sliema
James Dimech
Apr 10th 2010, 13:14
The fact that hunting is such a big issue in our country shows one or more of three two things: that the Maltese are doing fine and that they have nothing better to worry about (other than electricity /water bills maybe). Or else that we are a culture where mediocrity still reigns high
P Agius
Apr 10th 2010, 12:26
I hope the application for licence will include the obligation on hunters to present a medical certificate whereby they are assessed against mental illness and poor eyesight in order to curb incidents. This special licence should be applied for all hunting. those with normal licence should only be able to fire on clay. Furthermore, the government must use this special licence not just for this year but for multiple years (say 3 years). Who does not apply this year will automatically be excluded in successive years. Otherwise well done to the government. Like this abusers can be easily singled out.
Roger Muscat
Apr 10th 2010, 11:53
I my self have been a nationalist throughout till yesterday. When a man loses his word he has lost everything. At this point there is only one question I would like to ask the PN leaders.
What has Eddie, Simon Busuttil & the rest of the people who promised a false promise have to say ? can they do something to clear their name?
J.Agius
Apr 10th 2010, 11:46
Some 20 years ago I commented that no more newhunting licences should be issued so hunting wil eventually end.It is not fair on especially elderly hunters tostop them practising their hobby sudden death.I voted PN.& an ex hunter but I feel hunters were treated so badly by politicians.Tourism is a big excuse.So is illegal catches.Bull fighting Is more cruel than hunting & not banned in europe!
What is of great concern for the majority of tourists is the dogs dirt allover tower road & beach the rubbish taken out after scammel pass,the barking of dogs in flats,the dirtywater comming from washing balconys on heads of passers bye!!! all this on Tower Road. TIME Should be GIVEN to HUNTERS as to phase out.Allthou I agree that one day hunting should end ,say a 20 year period should be considered.
J.Agius
Nyal Xuereb
Apr 10th 2010, 10:58
The 25 Euro for 3 birds does not make any sense when considering that you can buy 15 live locally bred quail from the same wild ones, for the same amount, release them and go for a shoot. The hunters should do this instead of giving away the money for a stupid licence. They will be getting 5 times as much for their money without any restrictions.
Nyal Xuereb
Apr 10th 2010, 10:53
The promise was sent and given to all the hunters no? So why less than half of them are being invited to shoot? This should not be accepted in a democratic country.
Edward Camilleri
Apr 10th 2010, 10:42
@"It was sadistic for Lawrence Gonzi to allow the decision to drag on and finally come up with an unacceptable season that does not do justice with the ECJ ruling," Mr Perici Calascione said,
Didn't the ECJ ruling raise the issue of a possible 'limited' spring hunting season? It did not say that the prime minister must open a normal spring hunting season. And you got just that. You should thank your lucky stars that you got this.