BirdLife accuses government of prioritising political over national interests

BirdLife has accused the government of prioritising political interests over national ones, “by accommodating the unjustified demands of a group solely interested in its hobby”.

In a statement reacting to the Prime Minister’s announcement that he would be prepared to go back to the European Court of Justice over the issue of spring hunting to defend Malta’s rights, BirdLife said that Dr Gonzi’s statement laid bare the government’s intention.

“The Prime Minister’s declaration clearly shows that he is ready to risk Maltese tax payer’s money to this end. Furthermore, spring hunting is neither beneficial to Malta’s environment nor its tourism.

“The Prime Minister’s incredulous stand that he sees the killing of migratory birds during the breeding season as a right, rides rough shod over the interests of the majority of the citizens and goes against the nature conservation directive of the EU,” BirdLife said.

It said that Dr Gonzi’s claim that Malta won the first case against the Commission last autumn was a spin on reality which was clearly aimed at misleading the public.

“It is clear that the ongoing saga with spring hunting will not be resolved because of political parties’ interest in nature conservation, despite the country’s international commitments to protect biodiversity,” BirdLife said.

It reminded political parties that the majority of the country was against spring hunting, and called on citizens to make a strong statement during the next elections as the only means to end this saga once and for all.