Hunting and trapping in Spain alive and well under derogation from EU Birds Directive
Jorge Garcia (The Sunday Times, May 9) was astonished to see his country, Spain, referred to as a good example of bad environmental practices. He clearly has no idea of what Spanish hunters enjoy with the blessing of the EU and its regional governments, and which environmental laws the Spanish openly flout.
Two of Birdlife Malta's partners - the Committee Against Bird Slaughter and the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds - state on their websites that under derogation from the Birds Directive, the following are licensed in Spain:
Autumn trapping, with lime sticks, of migrating thrushes in Catalonia "for scientific purposes" (although this is illegal in Valencia, it still continues in the absence of enforcement activity); spring hunting of woodpigeons from February to March in the Basque country (northern Spain).
Trapping, with nets and lime, of finches, mainly for use as caged birds - this takes place in most regions, notably Andalucía, Catalonia, Valencia and Murcia (i.e. from central to southern Spain); netting of migrating thrushes in Mallorca from October to January.
Spain has 980,000 hunters, the second highest number in the EU after France.
As for contraventions of the Birds Directive in Spain, regional governments permit spring shooting of pigeons, thrushes and woodcocks in February in Andalusia, Extremadura and Cantabria.
In several regions, during the breeding season (spring), hunting of woodpigeons, turtle doves and quails is allowed. In some regions, hunting of species not listed as those that can be legally hunted in Annex II of the directive also takes place.
Yet Mr Garcia seems more interested in commenting about Malta. If he is worried by eco-tourism, being a Spaniard should make him more intent on solving the problems in Spain.
Admittedly, his inability to do this must have been the "very reason that brought him to these beautiful islands of Malta" and run to Birdlife Malta's defence.
Incidentally, does bullfighting in Spain help draw eco-tourists to his country? He should try Birdlife Malta - they may be able to stop that too.
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Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 19th 2010, 09:03
John Ebejer, try presenting factual arguments and refrain from writing serious accusation!! If not, someday you might find somebody who takes you seriously and who will take action against you! I eat game LEGALLY. Your comment therefore shows YOU are not intelligent and smart after all. Furthermore, you have confirmed your hypocrisy! While enjoying your chicken, rabbit, fish and meat, do you reflect and realise that what you are eating comes from animals as well? Or, maybe, you do not eat meat coming from animals but from the type supermarkets produce!! How ridiculous!!!
A.Damato
May 17th 2010, 18:49
@ Paul Debono- The answer to your request is Aaland islands ( Finland ). After a case in the ECJ, spring hunting of ducks has been authorized by the same ECJ for 1 species. Enjoy!!:)
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
May 17th 2010, 11:16
Paul Debono
"I would like to see a successful derogation for spring hunting approved by the EU Commission. "
You patience will be rewarded, not necessarily by the Commission, but by ultimately who will see justice done. Namely the ECJ.
Further discussion at this point is superfluous since your opinion will never meet mine.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 17th 2010, 09:28
John Ebejer, primarily I am NOT after any respect from you! Your past comments have convinced me that you do not know the meaning of the word "respect"! Sir, I assure you that I know and practice the full "respect to the natural environment". I clean after picnickers, I do not ruin rubble-walls, etc. I also love eating game, the same ways you enjoy eating your steak, rabbit, chicken, fish.
Jason Borg, Mr MMB has actually provided "solid proof" regarding the topic being discussed! And, Sir, can you actually elaborate on your banal argument?! Proof? Photo? Me convincing Mr MMB? Is this all you can come up with? Do not tell me that you are a 9-year old as well! Grow up and try presenting some factual arguments!
Paul Debono, trying to mislead readers from the actual facts is worse than a lie, insultive and disrespectful!
John Ebejer
May 17th 2010, 22:19
If I eat meat, I pay for it. So it goes through the proper and legal channels. On the other hand, you eat game illegally, and go counter natural justice. Think about it. Reflect for once. Be intelligent. Be smart. And love the birds in the sky, woman!
Johnny Xerri
May 18th 2010, 21:20
Contract killer (person who buys his meat of the butcher) Vs. the killer (the hunter who hunts, kills and eats his pound of flesh)
One is honest enough to admit that he kills the animal he eats, the other is not honest at all and hypocratically feels unguilt of killing the animal since he 'buys' and not 'kills' the animal he eats.
However, in the end, both would have killed the animal, like it or not.
Think about it. Reflect for once. Be intelligent. Be smart.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
May 16th 2010, 23:23
THE CASE YOU MENTIONED WAS DATED APRIL 7, 2005 AND CONCERNED THE province of Guipúzcoa.
READ THIS AND SEE HOW RIGHT I AM, THERE ARE STILL PROVINCES THAT ALLOW SPRING HUNTING FOR WOODPIGEON. SO WHAT APPLIES FOR ONE PROVINCE DOES NOT APPLY FOR ANOTHER
http://www.google.co.uk/webhp?sourceid=navclient-ff#hl=en&source=hp&q=SPRING+HUNTING+IN+SPAIN&btnG=Google+Search&aq=f&aqi=&aql=&oq=SPRING+HUNTING+IN+SPAIN&gs_rfai=&fp=beea407c7634d521
"In the third case, the Commission has sent Spain a final written warning in a case
concerning the spring hunting of migrant birds, notably wood pigeon (Columba
palumbus), in the province of Vizcaya, as they return to their breeding grounds. A
first written warning was sent in June 2006. This case was brought by the
Commission following a judgement of the Court of Justice on 9 June 2005 (Case C-
135/04) against Spain for spring hunting of birds in the neighbouring province of
Guipúzcoa concerning the same hunting periods. "
HAVE YO ANY IDEA HOW MANY MORE PROVINCES STILL ALLOW SPRING HUNTING BEFORE COMMENTING ON JUST ONE.
YOU HAD BETTER KNOW WHAT YOU ARE TALKING ABOUT BEFORE MAKING A FOOL OF YOURSELF.
Paul Debono
May 17th 2010, 09:49
Please note that those internet references you gave only discuss spring hunting in Spain.
I would like to see a successful derogation for spring hunting approved by the EU Commission.
Not mere discussions about it.....
Sean Grima
May 16th 2010, 19:54
dan san ubertu min hu?
Johnny Xerri
May 16th 2010, 21:41
Who is St. Hubert?
Being a seasoned anti you should know that St Hubert is the patron saint of hunters.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Saint_Hubert
Sean Grima
May 24th 2010, 10:15
a one man show insomma
Paul Debono
May 16th 2010, 16:19
Please note Sylvana I did not insult or lie.
And if there is proof of a successful spring hunting derogation please provide one.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
May 16th 2010, 13:30
You have indeed exposed Mr Garcia's hypocrisy, Mr MMB.
Mr John Ebejer, just because you pay taxes, you have no right to dictate to others. As Mr Joe Camilleri rightly replied, the Maltese hunters pay the same taxes you do besides paying licences. The rights of hunters do not arise from your banal argument of taxes BUT from the written guarantees given to them, the ECJ ruling and the Birds Directive itself. You invariably have to side-track reasoning to your liking, Sir!!
Paul Debono, "From the hunters we only hear one side of the story". Really?! What are we, readers accustomed to hearing from BLM and the likes of you??!! Lies, non-factual arguments, insults and disrespect! I am convinced that Mr MMB's arguments are backed by SOLID proof!
John Ebejer
May 16th 2010, 17:11
Learn to show respect to the natural environment, including birds, before expecting respect towards you!
Jason Borg
May 16th 2010, 18:13
"solid proof" indeed! I have asked Mr. Mifsud Bonnici several times to provide us with solid proof of his hunting passion, such as photos of the birds which he kills, but to no avail. Maybe you can convince him, Ms. Zarb Darmanin, to meet my request.
Paul Debono
May 16th 2010, 12:53
Spain did apply for derogation on hunting wood pigeon in spring.
But they lost the case at the EJC....
http://eur-lex.europa.eu/LexUriServ/LexUriServ.do?uri=CELEX:62004C0135:EN:HTML
From the hunters we only hear one side of the story....
Johnny Xerri
May 16th 2010, 14:36
& What do we get from an anti?
Mr Debono only qouted the most relevent point to his agenda i.e. point 35 that Spain in the opinion of the Advocate General is guilty (imp to stress, opinion).
He refrains from quoting the reason, that is that the Advocate General considers that Spain does have an alternative to spring hunting, by hunting the birds that remain after breeding and can be hunting during autumn, and that there are the resident woodpigeons.
If one reads carefully point 24, one would start to comprehend why the court ruling should go in favour of the commission. Especially if one reads point 29.
Malta has a different setting, in that the ECJ although ruling against the way in which spring hunting was permitted during 2004-2007, the ECJ did recognise that autumn hunting does not provide an alternative to spring hunting. This is because unlike other countries, autumn hunting of quail and turtle doves is not possible because the migration does not take place over our island and because we do not have resendent numbers of these species.
The anits should realise that hunting takes place allover the EU and Malta should not be the exception
Jason Borg
May 16th 2010, 18:15
Mr. Xerri - you are an anti as well. Anti-living birds, that is.
Johnny Xerri
May 16th 2010, 21:36
Well we are all antis some way or another:
Some are anti-democratic, i.e. they do not want the government to apply a derogation as votes for in 2003.
Some are anti-truth, i.e. they use purposely misinformative information, lies, and outright hypocritical arguments, such as the lie that hunting takes place only in Malta, that illegal hunting is a problem only in Malta, that trapping takes place only in Malta, that Malta is a migratory main route,+++
Some are anti-tolerance, i.e. they do not tolerate the right for hunters to hunt, just like in other EU member states.
Some are anti-animals since they buy meat from shops.
Some are anti-hunters, for they do not care if the birds are killed in other EU member states during spring, I have just come from the UK where I caught 380 woodies (woodpigeons), in just 4 days.
Some are anti-hypocrites, i.e. they feel no same in providing the pound of flesh on their plate, and are ashamed of those who buy their pound of flesh whilst criticising and judging them.
What type of anti are you?
Jason Borg
May 16th 2010, 21:57
@ J. Xerri - I am pro-life. Are you pro-life as well?
Johnny Xerri
May 17th 2010, 19:57
I must say Mr Jason Borg got me on this one. He managed avoid telling me if he is anti-democratic, anti-truth, anti-tolerance, anti-animals, anti-hunters or anti-hypocrites. Jason well enough told me that he is a pro-life, this means that he is not an anti-animals or anti-birds. Then I hope that he does not eat meat (be it from the butcher or from the field) But that may well enough mean that he is anti-democratic, anti-tolerance, anti-truth, anti-hunters. However, I want to put myself in the shoes of Mr Jason Borg. I want to be pro-life. Jason, would you believe it, I already feel better? I will now feel even better when I eat...so lets see what shall I have? No meat/fish products since I am pro-life and meat fish products originate from living animals. No veg/fruit products since vegies/fruit are living in fields, and as a pro-life I cannot kill them. Shall I starve, no I am off to the butcher. Once I cannot hunt my pound of flesh I might as well buy it.
Joe Camilleri
May 16th 2010, 12:06
Maybe Jorge Garcia, a relative of Sgt Garcia (Zorro) is also a BL parrot.
http://www.youtube.com/user/FKNKMalta#p/a/u/5/iP26WIyBVKI
chris galea
May 16th 2010, 11:37
very well said Mark but seems- il par idejn sodi m'huma xejn sodi- coz he's not capable (or doesn't want ) to apply for a derogation for two species !! and our case is backed up by the ECJ !!
John Ebejer
May 16th 2010, 09:59
Bullfighting in Spain, is wrong, evil and should be abolished. But I, John Ebejer, have almost no say at all about it, while I DO have a say about what happens in my country because I am as much of a Maltese taxpayer as you and that the birds that you and your ilk, kill, belong to me as much as they belong to you. In fact, they do not belong to anyone - they are free creatures and everytime, you pull that trigger, you are abusing your superiority as a human being (?) over them, just because you have a rifle in hand!
Joe Camilleri
May 16th 2010, 12:02
"a rifle in hand", shows how well versed you are about hunting and trapping. We are all paying taxes pay licences to hunt and trap. So according to your reasoning, we have more right to hunt.
Anthony Formosa
May 16th 2010, 14:06
Mr Ebejer, this is not a matter of taxes or not, hunters pays their dues to practice their hobby, and in return we contribute a lot to the environment with any compensation. With the same reasoning of yours fish also belong to everyone and they should be free. The air that we breath also belong to everyone and no one has the right to pollute it. As you rightly said birds belong to everyone, you have the right to watch what is not huntable and we have the right to shoot what is huntable in the parameters of the law.
Johnny Xerri
May 16th 2010, 14:10
I Mr Johnny Xerri pay my taxes to have a governmnet that does and only does what it was elected to do. In a democracy the parties set a manifesto, the people vote on that manifesto, and the government goes by what was promised in the manifesto.
Spring hunting was promised in the manifesto. That is what we voted on, and that is what should be delivered. If the majority did not want spring hunting PN could have easily ommited spring hunting from both the EU referendum manifesto and the 2003 election manifesto. Why didnt they do so? Maybe because hunters are not such a minority after all?
As for the birds not belonging to anyone, do fish belong to someone..or maybe fish are too stupid to notice that they have been hookedup and fried?
As for the cherry-on-the-cake, Mr Ebejer, does not care what happens in the other EU countries, so for him 10 million EU hunters can kill for all their hearts content and 12000 Maltese hunters cannot catch an insignificant bag. What conservation sense does this have?
Please choose the reason of your report below: