Ivan Camilleri, Brussels
Brussels accepts hunting season 'in principle'
'Three-week hunting season next year would be difficult to obtain'
Malta could avoid further legal action if the conditions set for this month's spring hunting season "are fully enforced" and adhered to, according to the European Commission.
If this is not done, however, the Commission would be ready to restart legal infringement procedures against Malta and this time it would lead to fines being imposed if it is found in breach of EU directives.
The hunting season is due to open for a drastically reduced period between April 24 and 30, with a national bag limit of 7,500 quails and turtle doves.
With a spring hunting season due to open for the first time in three years, following last year's ruling by the European Court of Justice, the Commission yesterday sent its first signal of approval over the decision.
Asked for an official reaction to the government's announcement made last week, a spokesman told The Times the Commission agreed in principle.
"The Commission considers that in principle the new legislation permitting spring hunting in 2010 appears to comply with the requirements of the ECJ's judgment," he said.
"It is nevertheless essential to effectively enforce all the conditions set out in the new legislation including the duration of the hunting season, the number of hunting licences and number of birds to be hunted. This will be monitored by the Commission," the spokesman added.
Spring hunting was last permitted in Malta in the spring of 2007. The season remained closed for the next two years following interim measures imposed by the ECJ: Malta was not allowed to permit the practice until the court case, instituted by the Commission, was decided upon.
According to the EU Birds Directive, hunting is not permitted during spring. However, last year the court in its judgment said autumn hunting was not a suitable alternative to spring hunting, leaving the door ajar for a limited season.
After weeks of indecision, amid talks with the Commission to try and obtain pre-approval for its decision, the government last week said it was allowing a six-day season for 2,500 hunters to shoot 3,900 quails and 3,600 turtle doves. The season will be closed when this tally is reached.
Originally, the government was toying with the idea of opening the season for 20 days, however sources close to the Commission said this was not well received in Brussels so the government had to scale down its original plans.
On Sunday, the government admitted that talks with the Commission over the issue were inconclusive. However, the Prime Minister said these talks would continue to try and establish a three-week hunting season next year.
However, this would be difficult to obtain, according to Commission sources.
Asked to comment officially on the possibility of extending the spring hunting season beyond this year's six-day period, the Commission's spokesman responded diplomatically.
"The Commission is considering whether the framework legislation for future hunting seasons is consistent with the proportionality criterion set out by the court."
But according to the sources, this will most probably mean that the 20-day season desired by Malta will not meet the Commission's approval.
Originally, hunters were allowed a full two-month season with no restrictions on the number of turtle doves and quails to be hunted.
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joseph lia
Apr 14th 2010, 10:28
@ Mr Zammit, after a lenghty fit of uncontrolled laughter, I have to congratulate you sir!
Couldn't have put it better myself!
The way I describe the commission's reply to this farcical spring season (sic) is similar to
a father gathering his 5 children round the dinner table and after presenting a few scraps of bread crumbs tells the first child to eat it and the other 4 children must look on!!!! So much for equality and civil rights!!!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 13th 2010, 19:01
What else could we expect from a Commission who has taken Malta to the ECJ over the Spring Hunting issue?! The EU never expected that the ECJ would prove it wrong! Well, Dr L Gonzi has given it the importance it surely does not deserve by consulting with it! This to the detriment of his own citizens who gave him the power to govern!
Ray Zammit
Apr 13th 2010, 13:27
The European Commission has finally pronounced itself, stating that the obscene hand out of six half days spring hunting has it's blessing. It has however, already bristled over the possibility of an open season of three weeks for next year. This august body that represents the ultimate European champion of human rights, understandably, failed to comment on the discriminatory decision, to allow only 20% of the hunters to partake of this frugality.
This is the same institution, which together with the government echelons of the time, had to resort to blatant lies, and half truths to hoodwink and bamboozle us into voting for it.
Please do not remove the monument at Luqa everyone is talking about. Malta and the
Maltese richly deserve it. The only thing that's missing on the thingy , is a big bold EU logo followed by the names of certain dignitaries that took a hand( putting it mildly ) in SHAFTING us.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Apr 13th 2010, 13:03
Whether Brussels accepts or not is beside the point. Luxembourg decided and Brussels HAS TO ACCEPT that decision. If Dr Gonzi had really wanted to keep his promises, he should have proceeded without having talks with the fanatics of Brussels. Any idiot would tell him that it's stupid to consult the ones who took him to court. What the court handed to Malta on a plate, gonzi is giving back to the commission, leaving the hunters with the proverbial breadcrumbs. As the head of the Maltese government he should hang his head in shame for this indignity.
N.Lawrence
Apr 13th 2010, 12:43
"Fully enforced"? THAT'S another big joke. Whenever has this current crop enforced anything. Just stand on a street corner and see how traffic regulations are "enforced".
Only this morning, I nearly had an accident, with some airhead of a female who was trying to reverse her vehicle while talking on a mobile 'phone at the same time. Yeah, enforcement!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Apr 13th 2010, 12:15
The Times reports "this year's six-day period".
The season contemplated by Dr. Gonzi is that of a period of 6 HALF DAYS.
Dr. Gonzi should stop giving hunters any more false hopes by insinuating that a three week season could be negotiated. According to the Commission this will most probably mean that the 20-day season desired by Malta will not meet the Commission's approval.
If he has faith in his convictions, confirmed by his own PN guarantees, Gonzi should not shy away from declaring what he considers to be a "satisfactory solution" to all hunters. Namely nothing less than he guaranteed.
Lawrence Fenech
Apr 13th 2010, 11:43
Brussels should put the "principle" where it can be shot down.
P. Zammit
Apr 13th 2010, 11:14
..........More evidence to prove that Gonzi is only trying to sell us yet another red herring invoking that next year it would be a three week spring season. we did not need the Commission's spokesman's views............No more reference to the Special Arrangement prior to membership, the situation as it stands already provides proof of the deceit the P.N. forged to us hunters amounting to a big fat lie prior to the Referendum in terms of a scenario that was diametrically opposed to the Birds Directive.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 13th 2010, 09:54
Brussels accepts, viva jum il-Helsien. Can Brussels accept the agreement they did with Malta before the referendum? Where is Simon Busuttil in Brussels to explain this?
http://www.meusac.gov.mt/Portals/FME/Documents/AGGSE13e_Hunting.pdf