Unverified bird slaughter reports damaging Malta's image - FKNK

Radical bird-protectionists were bent on discrediting and vilifying Malta’s hunters and trappers, the Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) said adding that their “unverified reports” had a bad effect on Malta’s image internationally and the country’s incoming tourism.

In a statement, the FKNK said it would ensure that CABS (Committee Against Bird Slaughter) and BirdLife (BLM) would be prevented from staging future theatrics as witnessed this week.

If said that had its offer to pay for police officers to accompany CABS and BirdLife personnel been heeded, last week’s events would have been prevented.

The absence of the police, the organisation said, allows CABS and BLM the freedom to make assertions without being contradicted.

“Conveniently CABS and BLM often complain that “by the time the police arrived, the perpetrators had disappeared.|”

FKNK pointed out that the arrest of a council member last week was upheld by the presiding magistrate as having taken place illegally and now the Miżieb incidents were sub-judice and under police investigation.

It asked why were the police not informed beforehand so that officers would have accompanied searchers and why were some bird carcasses shown on the CABS/BLM video dripping wet, when the weather was dry with a moderate northerly wind. It also wanted to know why it was not contacted, as the guardian of the reserve, before the search began?

FKNK asked why were media photographers already present before the ‘search’ started unless the ‘searchers’ were not absolutely certain they would definitely ‘find’ dead birds?

“With Miżieb constantly under surveillance by CABS and BLM, and also with an average of 200 gun-dogs roaming the area daily since September 1, how come about 80 protected birds are suddenly ‘discovered’?

“Has the CABS/BLM intrusion in Miżieb not got, yet again the makings of a frame-up?

“Is anyone aware that the searches were taking place during permissible hunting hours, when non-hunters and other unauthorised persons are not allowed on the hunting reserve?

“Is not the aim clearly to take Miżieb away from the Federation, as BLM has been trying to do all the time?”

FKNK said it was disgraceful that on the anniversary of Independence Day, the Maltese courts were opened with urgency to hear a case instituted against a Maltese national on flimsy accusations made by foreign radicals.

“We reiterate our warning.

“These radical bird-protectionists are bent on discrediting and vilifying Malta’s hunters and trappers.

“Collaterally, their concocted, wildly-exaggerated, and unverified reports have a bad effect on Malta’s image internationally and on our incoming tourism.”

FKNK said the eradication of illegalities was also its priority, but it would not tolerate such underhand tactics in the pursuit of this aim.

“We augur that the authorities will conduct a full investigation with a view to determine the facts and put an end to a situation brought about by controversially malicious declarations of CABS and BLM.”

The FKNK said that, in the meantime, it was seeking legal advice on possible data protection and environment legislation infringements with regard to unauthorised photography and video filming, handling of protected birds, and possible frame-ups by CABS and BLM.