Hunters present report to EU on spring hunting derogation

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation - Malta (FKNK) has submitted a report to the European Commission relating to the recent application of the spring-hunting derogation.

It said the report analysed the circumstances prevailing before and during the spring hunting period, and the final result, with comments on how the government dealt with the derogation conditions in practice.

"The report lauds the action taken by the police to keep illegalities to a minimum by apprehending poachers and exerting strict supervision before, during, and after the derogated period," the federation said.

In its report it queried whether the Commission had actually "monitored things on the ground" as the media had earlier reported that it would do. It urged the Commission to carry out an in-depth factual evaluation of all factors regarding the derogation.

"The report concluded by underlining the need for a just solution to be found, through dialogue, in order to transpose the ‘satisfactory alternative' principle, established by the European Court of Justice in September 2009, into a fair and equitable spring-hunting derogation for 2011," the federation said.

A copy of the report was sent also to Prime Minister Dr. Lawrence Gonzi, the Maltese Permanent Representative in Brussels, The Bureau of the Sustainable Hunting Intergroup, and the Federation of Associations for Hunting & Conservation in the EU (FACE).