Labour Party has no problem with MEP’s post at hunting federation
Labour MEP John Attard Montalto (centre) receiving his new title of honorary president of the Federation For Hunting and Conservation by the NGO’s secretary Lino Farrugia. Photo: FKNK
Labour MEP John Attard Montalto’s recent appointment to “life honorary president” of the hunters’ federation has not bothered the Labour Party.
“The PL does not have any objection to one of its elected representatives being honoured by an NGO,” a spokesman told The Times yesterday.
On Tuesday, the Federation For Hunting and Conservation announced that Dr Attard Montalto had been given this honorary post because he had always worked to safeguard hunting and trapping, particularly at EU level after being first elected to the European Parliament in 2004.
Dr Attard Montalto accepted the recognition and pledged he would dedicate himself for the benefit of Maltese hunters and trappers, prompting the question of whether this could create a conflict of interest.
The head of the PN’s MEP delegation Simon Busuttil said the appointment suggested that the position of the PL on hunting was exactly the same as that of FKNK.
“This should call for an explanation by the PL. But don’t hold your breath because this is just another example of how the Labour Party wants to be everything for everyone when in reality it stands for nothing and no one.”
Although it was “up to voters to judge the behaviour of MEPs”, he added that the appointment was “ironic” since when push came to shove in the European Parliament, the Labour MEPs, including Dr Attard Montalto, had abstained on a resolution condemning Malta on spring hunting.
Dr Attard Montalto has always been open about his pro-hunting stance and often asked parliamentary questions on the subject in the European Parliament.
The Times sent questions to Dr Attard Montalto and head of PL delegation Louis Grech but no replies were forthcoming.
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Lino Farrugia
Aug 13th 2010, 19:16
Dear Dr. Busuttil MEP,
The irony is what you, as head of MIC as EU information, had told hunters and trappers, and eventually convinced and stole their YES votes at the Referendum. Remember Agornat of October 2002 and Hunting & Trapping Enthusiasts!
Where were you when FKNK requested your assistance at EU level. I very well remember your answer when you said that now you wanted to steer away from such a hot issue.
What have you ever done for the thousands of Maltese citizens, hunters and trappers, and their families that you betrayed through your 'innocent' manners. At least JAM has done his very best.
I could go on forever, and you know that you wouldn't be in a position to offer a decent reply, so I'll just stop here.
Patrick Sacco
Aug 12th 2010, 23:33
Unbelievable! Just when all the world (or at least the major part of it) seems to have become more aware of the importance of respecting animals and the environment, the LP chose to move Malta backwards to the cavemen era.
And yes, it is true that the Labour Party wants to be everything for everyone when in reality it stands for nothing and no one.
Hekkha 'progressivi u moderati' ukoll. U halluna!
Johnny Xerri
Aug 14th 2010, 15:30
Since you commented without roping in sources, can you please enlighten me re your statement:
'Unbelievable! Just when all the world (or at least the major part of it) seems to have become more aware of the importance of respecting animals and the environment...'
How is all the world becoming more aware of the importance of respecting animals and the environment? Maybe you can suggest a few countries that have banned hunting? That would be challange.
Re your further coment;
'And yes, it is true that the Labour Party wants to be everything for everyone when in reality it stands for nothing and no one.'
What did the PN stand for when it issued us the pre-referendum and election guarantees?
What did MIC stand for when they issued the 'negotiated information'?
Re you last comment;
'Hekkha 'progressivi u moderati' ukoll. U halluna!'
Well if 'Justice, Honesty and Liberty' the vibe words that PN like to use had any meaning to at least a few of them we would be hunting, since in the name of these words we should have got waht we voted for.
PL is only helping a section of society that was betrayed. Whats wrong in that?
Johnny Xerri
Aug 12th 2010, 21:50
cont..
However, 'Dr Attard Montalto has always been open about his pro-hunting stance and often asked parliamentary questions on the subject in the European Parliament.' May I ask you what you did as an MEP apart from gain access to the EU and get a comfy job thanks to your deciet and lies?
I don't know how a PN MEP or MP can every critise and pro-hunting MP or MEP for trying to help hunters when it was you guys that made such a mess and it was you guys that after gaining so much from us simply cast us aside.
Whats up vote stealers, your angry coz someone is trying to help us and so you will be further exposed as the vote stealers you really are?
Really hope that you will answer.
Johnny Xerri
Aug 12th 2010, 21:49
I really wish that Dr Simon Busutill who stated this:
“This should call for an explanation by the PL. But don’t hold your breath because this is just another example of how the Labour Party wants to be everything for everyone when in reality it stands for nothing and no one.”
would have the decency to answer for my comment. How can Dr Bustill state the above when it was HIS PN & MIC that hunting would not be ended after the EU accessions. Where are the guarantees that you promised us, through the Agornat news letters? Wasn't it you that promised us and declared that a derogation was acheived?
Moreover if; your own, Eddie Fenech Adami's & PN's declarations were real we would not have to have a resolution in the EU parliament condemming spring hunting in Malta. JAM had absained so that the deceit would be exposed. Rest assured that if this once the resolution did not pass the commision would not stop at that and reschedule it for another seating, untill the deciet would eventually emerge.
cont..
Andrew Gatt
Aug 12th 2010, 14:15
Dr Attard Montaldo is one of the few politicians to have honoured his commitment on the hunting and trapping issue. One of the few MEN in Parliament and politics who promised and gave his support BEFORE and AFTER the MEP elections.
That, I call "irgulija". A word whose meaning seems to have escaped those who promised us the earth pre-EU accession, over and over, in writing, backed up by MIC - headed by none other than YOU, Simon Busuttil - , in spite of the hunting association's now-justified concerns and who deceived thousands of Maltese voters.
Insult Dr Attard Montaldo all you like. On this issue, he's got more honour in his little finger than the whole lying and doublespeaking lot of PN politicians have between them.
Dr Attard Montaldo's lobbying for a consderable section of Maltese society is no bad thing. It somewhat redresses the inbalance of VERY well-networked anti-hunting organisations who run to mummy in Europe all the time on the slightest pretext and to hell with bad publicity for Malta.
FKNK should consider creating the post of honorary liar for life too. Problem is we'd be spoilt for choice!
Chris Finch
Aug 12th 2010, 12:59
With the exception of 2 of them, the first thing that springs to mind is what a scruffy looking bunch. You think that they would have made an effort on the apoointment of their new president.
M. Cardona
Aug 13th 2010, 09:30
Does not having long pony tailed hair amount to a scruffy look? So obvious You hate hunters from the word go!
r sammut
Aug 12th 2010, 12:58
‘The head of the PN’s MEP delegation Simon Busuttil said the appointment suggested that the position of the PL on hunting was exactly the same as that of FKNK.’
Well well, how about Dr Simon Busuttil and the PN have themselves a look at their past… remember the GUARANTEES and other sweet talk aired at hunters during the days of MIC?
Now, all this pussy footing the issue with the EU! Giving the impression that Malta has to bow its head at whatever BIG BROTHER bestows us.
patrick zammit
Aug 12th 2010, 11:33
“This should call for an explanation by the PL. But don’t hold your breath because this is just another example of how the Labour Party wants to be everything for everyone when in reality it stands for nothing and no one.”
Isn’t this a bit rich when law enforcement (re poaching) is next to nothing?
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Aug 12th 2010, 11:05
Simon Busuttil.
"the position of the PL on hunting was exactly the same as that of FKNK." indeed they both concur with the PN vision of guaranteeing hunting in spring and trapping.
So if in Government the PL will only be carrying on the good work done by the PN that saw spring hunting hang on a thin thread and trapping no less then obliterated.
You recall the assurances you yourself were responsible for at MIC. Please illuminate us as to what went wrong?
Being no less an MEP then JAM, what prevents you from putting forward this injustice at EP level with equal vigor?
Indeed JAM had abstained on a resolution condemning Malta on spring hunting. So had the previous PL deputy leader, a hunter, remained silent before the last elections. The fact that JAM now openly supports hunting speaks volumes.
It points to a party leader that allows its delegates to openly support hunting and trapping and not to a leader that took the whole situation in his own hands and in the process made a complete U turn to what the PN originally promised.
A.Damato
Aug 12th 2010, 11:04
Instead of crticising JAM and the PL, Simon Busuttil should better worry as how to fulfill all the promises and written guarantees made to hunters and trappers by his PN and MIC he headed prior to the 2003 general election and EU Accession referendum and which unfortunatley many hunters/trappers beleived!!!!
JAM is only fullfilling his promise to support LEGAL hunting and trapping within the EU and within EU law which he pledged to hunters/trappers before the MEP elections and which this government is constantly denying us of !!!!!
Thanks and keep up the good work JAM, we are all behind you !!!!
Anthony Formosa
Aug 12th 2010, 10:55
Why the PL should have a problem if one of his MEP's support FKNK, when it was the PN who promised heaven on earth and deceived so many hunters and trappers. Did the PN had any problem? did the electorate had any problem to vote yes in the referendum with one of the conditions that hunting and trapping will remain?
Just to refresh the memories of who has the problem.
http://www.kaccaturi.com/