Kurt Sansone
Only 57 apply for special licence
Government rebuts accusation
Hunters have by and large heeded directives issued by their organisations not to register for the 2,500 special licences to hunt this spring with only 57 submitting their name by yesterday afternoon.
There are about 10,000 registered hunters and, under regulations issued last week, only a quarter of them will be able to hunt in the six-day period allowed by the government at the end of the month.
The hunters' federation, FKNK, supported by three other hunting organisations warned it would name and shame hunters who applied for the licences - they have until today to register - claiming that a six-day season would be prejudicial to having a longer spring hunting period.
Meanwhile, the controversy shows no signs of abating with the government and the FKNK engaged in a tit for tat over last week's decision.
The federation again accused the Prime Minister of "playing politics" with his decision to ditch the Ornis Committee's recommendations and instead open a six-day season.
"Ornis' recommendations erred against hunters and trappers. Yet, they were workable and much closer to attaining the satisfactory alternative," it said.
Ornis had recommended a hunting season between April 10 - 30 allowing a total of about 33,000 birds to be shot. The shortened season will now take place between April 24 and 30, excluding Sunday, with a bag limit of about 7,000 birds.
The government rebutted the accusation, insisting it did not want to endanger taxpayers' money and risk a fine because no agreement was reached with the European Commission on a longer season.
"The hunting of 13,071 turtle doves and 12,335 quails in spring is sustainable and within the parameters of the Birds' Directive. However, the government responsibly decided to avoid a situation where the country could end up paying fines while continuing with its discussions with the Commission," the government said.
In another reaction to claims by BirdLife Malta that a six-day season was contrary to the judgment of the European Court of Justice, the government insisted it acted in line with the ruling.
The government came under fire from environmental groups for allowing a limited spring hunting season.
"The court findings accept that the opening of a spring hunting season in Malta is in principle justified provided that proportionality is maintained. The rigorous conditions under which the 2010 season was opened respect proportionality as required by the Court," the government said.
Meanwhile, BirdLife stepped up its efforts to curb illegal hunting by transforming its website into an information point for people wanting to file police reports.
The website, birdlifemalta.org, also gives people clues on what to look out for in assessing potentially-illegal activity and details that would be required by the police.
The bird conservation group said 46 volunteers from eight countries joined 15 Maltese volunteers for BirdLife's spring watch camp where teams would record illegalities in the countryside.
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38 Comments
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Victor Vella
Apr 17th 2010, 14:04
The time will come where no more hunting will be carried out in Malta. The island is so small to contain hunting and the EU directives ban hunting from the Maltese islands. From my point of view I prefer to hear and see birds flying in their natural habitat. But, and a big but, those who like hunting, unless they do not disturb others, have the right to excercise such a sports.
Michael Camilleri
Apr 15th 2010, 23:36
Hunting in Malta relies solely on migratory game species. The EU is putting Maltese hunters at a disadvantage on this issue since Malta cannot be put at par with the rest of the continent due to Malta’s small dimension and geographical position in relation to bird migration. The EU and the Maltese government have dragged their feet on this issue causing the spring hunting season to be practically forbidden for 2010. In actual fact, the government did little to prepare and conclude the discussion on the topic with the EU in advance, whilst at the same time finding a good excuse in the EU for not concluding the discussions on time. All of this sham puts doubts whether any serious agreement on this topic was ever reached between the government and the EU before Malta joined as member. Yet the hunters paid the 2010 hunting license in full. The government collected the money through hunting licenses whilst slipped away from the promises. Since hunters will be only getting part of what they paid for in licenses, the government should at least have the decency to refund the equivalent amount of license to hunters.
eric mamo
Apr 15th 2010, 20:46
Who said the season is over. birdlife will be out there hunting for evidence to fine the Maltese government for every gunshot ;and us law abiding shooters who stay at home and the sick abolitionists will have to pay the taxes to pay for the fines and the ridiculous antics of ALE personnel chasing shadows. At least we are smart enough not to cheer the birdlife heroes who live on euro handouts to persecute the Maltese government into losing itself the next election and antagonising 15,000 voters with broken promises. Gonzipn is headed the same way the DODO went and it got extinct cos it was stoooopid.
John Matthews
Apr 15th 2010, 19:17
@ Charles Mizzi from Qala
No disrespect intended but where are you coming from? If I remember correctly George Borg Olivier was the prime minister. If I also remember correctly above the Labour club in Kingsway was a placard "George Borg Olivier in its 10th, 11th, 12th year in London etc etc. That was the PN then. now they have let down the hunters/trappers. I wait your reply with interest.
Mario Farrugia
Apr 15th 2010, 17:52
every morning for the last 2 weeks i wake up with the sound of multiple gun fire shots. Unless there is a serial killer in the area, which I doubt, the shots are all coming from illegal hunting.
These people don't care about rules and laws. Even if the license was applicable to all without limits, hunters would still go around whenever and wherever they feel like it.
Do you really believe there will only be 57 hunters shooting during this 6-day period???
there were that many shooting this morning in the Marsascala area alone!
Anthony Micallaf
Apr 15th 2010, 17:07
I wonder how may out of these 57 are from the Republic of Gozo. LoL
dvella
Apr 15th 2010, 16:14
"Only 57 apply for special licence" - and the rest?.........they'll produce their own!!!!!!! Mhux ovja.
Lawrence Fenech
Apr 15th 2010, 15:57
@ Mizzi from Qala
On the Luqa roundabout.
Corey Attard
Apr 15th 2010, 15:54
Hunters should have the right to hunt,we pay tax like everybody else.This land does not provide to many hobbies were you could enjoy.So why we can't enjoy our hobby? Mr President.
fabian muliet
Apr 15th 2010, 15:44
Most of the rest are out hunting anyway... they just saved themselves €25.00....
Daniel Borg
Apr 15th 2010, 15:26
For those of you that haven't learnt yet that this Government has taken everyone for a ride, including Eddie & Simon Busuttil, click on this link
http://www.meusac.gov.mt/Portals/FME/Documents/AGGSE13e_Hunting.pdf
Jurgen Bugeja
Apr 15th 2010, 15:09
@Mr.Zammit
Jahasra x 'kummenti bla sens jghajjuni nies bhalek!!!
Paul A. Camilleri
Apr 15th 2010, 13:59
@ M. Montebello
I have a better one for you. How about asking the general public if they would like a retake of the REFERENDUM, this time OPTING out !!!!!!!!! Extremists like you should swim all the way to the BAHAMAS and back, hoping that your reasoning and brain would have cooled off. You seem like a person in distress, apart from being VOID. Kemm vera ghandek paroli fil vojt u bla sense.
Kenneth Cassar
Apr 15th 2010, 13:34
A politician playing politics? What has the world come to?
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 15th 2010, 13:09
The law-abiding hunters will not be ridiculed by Dr L Gonzi's breadcrumbs of a Spring Hunting Season! They will fight it till the end. Certain individuals (here the 57 mentioned) may not mind being seen as satisfying themselves with crumbs! I just cannot comprehend how they are capable of facing co-hunters while roaming the countryside with their hand-bands!!
Ramon Casha, should the Government also consider legalising abortion?!
J Zammit & D Vella, for now, the law-abiding hunters will be staying at home. Don't be presumptuous and void!
J Cutajar, the many law-abiding hunters may not enjoy this season BUT they will eventually enjoy what is rightfully theirs!
Matthew Montebello, "I'm so glad that such a destructive hobby is not so popular any more".
Really??!! You must be living in a world of your own! It is the hottest topic on The Times! Keep on dreaming about your extremist views! Furthermore, the continuance of Spring Hunting has already been approved through the EU Accession Referendum!
Hunters, we are behind you till you get what is rightfully yours!!
Victor Ross
Apr 15th 2010, 13:03
Xi FREEDOM HU ? Jaqaw int trid li mmorru lura erbghin sena biex tkun tista tispara u toqtol kemm il-ghasfur issib? U HALLUNA !!!!!!!!!!!
sandrocascun
Apr 15th 2010, 12:51
More than 99% of the hunters are not ready to accept such a stupid season.
Its either a propper season that we accept or else nothing.
The recommandations by the ornis committe are far from what was promised but are at least to consider.
I am more than sure that the closer the election the more a real satisfactory solution will be reached.
This was a failed testing and an electoral (auto goal) for the government.
Am more than sure that such a polital error will not repeat its slef and confident that the season will grow longer and longer as fever raises.
In the mean while Fknk is to keep up the good work and be open to both parties.
Unfortunately this is a political issue rather than an evironmental one.
Lets wait for the next Deal.
Then its up to us to decide for the future of our hobby.
Facts from the last decade and more can help us to make a right decision.
Thanks FKNK.
Keep up the good work.
Bonello David
Apr 15th 2010, 12:42
57 TRAITORS out of 15000 hunters & trappers. Up to now the PN party lost my vote last election. Wish i will find guts for the coming election to vote. Not for PN but for PL. We hunters & our families will settle the score with the PN for all their FALSE promises next election. THAT"S A PROMISE DECLARED.
Henry Debono
Apr 15th 2010, 12:21
Read this article All details about this farce are included
http://www.timesofmalta.com.mt/articles/view/20100415/letters/farce-of-a-spring-hunting-season
Andrew Gatt
Apr 15th 2010, 12:12
"The government rebutted the accusation, insisting it did not want to endanger taxpayers' money and risk a fine because no agreement was reached with the European Commission on a longer season."
How strange! Wasn't this issue settled in 2003 as one of 77 Special Arrangements with the EU? At least that's what MIC, MEUSAC, OPM and Dr Eddie Fenech Adami were teling us again-and again-and again...........filwaqt li kienu qed jghiru l-FKNK giddieba!!
Don't make us laugh, you hypocritical liars.
STEPHEN MICALLEF
Apr 15th 2010, 12:08
To all you what so called bird lovers writing on this article did you vote yes for europe cause if you did so you voted yes for spring hunting so cut the crap.
CHARLIE MIZZI FROM QALA
Apr 15th 2010, 11:55
WHERE IS THE FREEDOM THAT WAS IN MALTA 1960 ?
Matthew Montebello
Apr 15th 2010, 12:18
You refer to freedom of all living things not to be killed???
Ramon Casha
Apr 15th 2010, 14:06
If by freedom you mean a totally lawless situation, it's gone to the same place as medicinal leeches, human sacrifice and the telegram.
Mario Borg
Apr 15th 2010, 14:38
In 1960 the population in Malta was 329,000. Today it stands at 411,000 and the countryside is far smaller than it was then.
We are also more aware of environmental issues and animal rights. If to you freedom means total disregard towards others and nature, then I agree with you.
Jason Borg
Apr 15th 2010, 17:03
No wonder you cannot find the freedom. Malta in 1960 was not free at all. It was still a British possession. It became free after September 21st, 1964 and remains free till this very day.
Matthew Montebello
Apr 15th 2010, 11:51
I'm so glad that such a destructive hobby is not so popular any more ...
Do the hunters have the guts to abide to the outcome of a national referendum about hunting?
I am all out to abolish such a 'sport' together with fishing close to the Maltese shores...
Anthony Formosa
Apr 15th 2010, 12:34
Mr Montebello, May I remind you that you if you voted in the last referendum hunting and trapping was part of the package. If there will be another referendum Malta will fail to enter the EU. The bottom line is that Malta's accession was based on deceit. If you are against hunting, In the next election I suggest to vote for AD, they were always consistent about hunting, that's why they never succeeded. Yeah let's stop fishing around Malta, what's next?
John Falzon
Apr 15th 2010, 11:46
A brilliant card played by the Government.
Officially only 57 can hunt so the EU is happy; unofficially law enforement will turn a Nelson's eye and the hunters will be happy.
Many of the citizens will think it is a major win for nature and they will be happy.
Everybody else gets to protest in the papers to their hearts desire.
Ultimately, everyone is happy! Another problem solved, the Maltese way.
wally vella-zarb
Apr 15th 2010, 15:01
Niccolò di Bernardo dei Machiavelli himself would be proud!
Paul A. Camilleri
Apr 15th 2010, 11:21
@ J. Zammit
What now, are you playing GOD? when you say that the 57 that applied for a special licence are the only law abiding hunters on the island. Pull your head out of the sand and please mince your words as I do not have patience any more for empty comments like yours. Not even a 12 year old would dare think it, let alone write it. For your info, all our Federations are doing, is just what the ECJ gave us the right to do. I.E. Hunt in spring.
j.cutajar
Apr 15th 2010, 11:40
& 57 are doing exactly that......the rest are all sulking for not getting their way, if your ghaqda thinks it's so right it should present it's case directly to the EU mela on a blog.
J. Debono
Apr 15th 2010, 11:13
Are they still allowed to catch only 3 birds each,
or is the 7,500 birds allowed, be divided between them, i.e. more than a hundred birds each?
DVella
Apr 15th 2010, 11:10
So fifty-seven individuals are going to exercise their 'hobby' legally during this short season . . . . what about the other nine thousand, nine hundred and forty-three odd remaining ones??? Are we really expected to believe that they will just stay at home polishing their shotgun and watching 'desperate housewives'??? (!)
One hopes the responsible authorities will get their act together and put enough resources out there to arrest anybody hunting without a permit, confiscate their weapons and revoke their licence . . . . . . let's see some examples made of people who think they can get away with unlawful thuggish behaviour . . . Any moron can see that it's obvious that everybody's had enough of these jokers!!
Anthony Formosa
Apr 15th 2010, 11:35
If you think that you are so sure, just go out and report hunters, in the mean time I'll be watching the desperate housewive Mr Azzopardi. :)
Anthony Formosa
Apr 15th 2010, 11:04
The federation again accused the Prime Minister of "playing politics" with his decision to ditch the Ornis Committee's recommendations and instead open a six-day season.
This is not the first time that the Ornis Committee was ditched; I don't really know why we have this committee when the Dr Gonzi is the committee himself.
The government rebutted the accusation, insisting it did not want to endanger taxpayers' money and risk a fine because no agreement was reached with the European Commission on a longer season.
Why the government did spent thousands on the first place to justify our cause in the ECJ. Since when Dr Gonzi is so concerned about tax payers money? Did he pay the drydocks, buses, hearse, compensations, from his pocket? Hunting is our right as agreed by the PN and the EU before Malta’s accession. How much is going to cost the tax payer for the Pope visit? If you are so concerned about people’s tax refund the money that you ripped off on their new car from 2004.
What about the hunters and trappers who spend their hard earned money for their land? Did you take your tax?
j.zammit
Apr 15th 2010, 10:34
There are only 57 law abiding hunters on the island... let them keep their licenses and revoke all others... these 57 can have a 3 month Spring season every year as they can probably be trusted to not break the law and be judicious on what they will shoot at
Ramon Casha
Apr 15th 2010, 10:27
Considering the lack of interest in hunting in spring, the government should consider reducing the number of birds killed.