Hunting lobby being pleased ‘at all costs’
Alternattiva Demokratika yesterday condemned the government over its recent decision in favour of the “unsustainable practice” of spring hunting.
Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi insisted in pleasing the hunting lobby at all costs regardless of the recent warning issued by the European Commission, AD agriculture spokesman Simon Galea said.
“Apart from breaching the Birds Directive and risking hefty fines imposed by the EU, spring hunting will negatively affect the turtle dove and quail populations on their way to breed,” he said.
Also, as an EU member, Malta had a responsibility to abide all its legal obligations, Mr Galea added.
Green Party chairman Michael Briguglio condemned the government’s decision, saying it was “unacceptable” that the government put its “narrow electoral interests before the environment”.
“Unfortunately, the Labour Party’s approach towards hunting is no different, as both parties do their utmost to serve the hunting lobby,” he said.
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Johnny Xerri
Mar 23rd 2011, 07:14
From the lack of support that AD got from their 'news item' seems that rather then the sustainability of hunting, they should have been more concerned about the political sustainability of inciting the government ino breaking a democratic obligation.
No wonder they only manage 2 pence of votes, the political support is even lacking on an online site, let alone in the voting hall.
John Matthews
Mar 21st 2011, 21:56
@ M Caruana
I presume you are a meat eater. I presume you are a fish eater. I presume you are a poultry eater.
How were the items which I PRESUME you eat killed.
So what's wrong with the hunters shooting and eating what they have killed?
I await your reply with interest.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 21st 2011, 09:38
M Caruana, Mr. Johnny Xerri has presented you with a detailed explanation regarding your silly question. Thanks Mr Xerri. Secondly, stop acting presumptuous M Caruana! Contrary to your assumption, I am not a hunter and I do not kill wildlife. I only believe that the Maltese hunters are no inferior to their EU citizens and that they have a right to their traditional pastime. Next time you comment, try to write sensible and factual comments, please!
M. Cardona
Mar 20th 2011, 20:09
I guess that's about it then- Mr Simon Galea and Mr Briguglio and their personal and unrepresentative opinion. My what a slip there; AD garners a couple of votes every now and then. One even got elected, Oops sorry another slip; not to Maltese parliament though. Too bad you didn't follow through with calling it a day after last GE's. Thanks AD for all the humour you bring to our monotonous lives.
Resumee; the opinion of a vociferous non-entity- AD
BYE BYE
r sammut
Mar 20th 2011, 16:46
AD’s has short term memory seems! We had the list of hunted birds reduced from 32 to 2 species before entering EU. Then guarantees were given and issued that Spring hunting was to continue for almost two months each Spring for turtle doves and quails only! Not even a hiss was ever uttered by AD to the contrary then!
Now that the Government is to reinstate a tiny portion of those guarantees; certainly far from to please at all costs! Why the bother now, AD?
Johnny Xerri
Mar 20th 2011, 16:16
Sur Briguglio,
Wouldn't breaking a democratic obligation be pleasing the anti-hunting at all costs?
Come on AD & Mr Briguglio, stop the whinning, you are not in a position to give order or condemn the govt if a season is opened, since your voice is back by only a 2 pence worth of votes.
The antis allows claim to bein majority, when PL is openly in favour of sustainable hunting, PN always states that it is in favour of sustainable hunting (even if not delivering much), AD is the only voice and shield for the antis, and yet all they manage is 2 pence worth of votes.
AD are just opportunists trying to get a ride on the horse...but judging by their past performance in elections they are all too likely to get a ride on a donkey...driven by some fool & cheered by his lackeys!!!
D. Farrugia
Mar 20th 2011, 15:41
AD, if hunters' votes really do make a difference then the PN would not have managed to remain in office for this long! It is no longer a matter of who wins the majorty of votes. This is a political promise that has been broken for way too long. At the end of the day if you were promised something in writing wouldn't you expect that promise to be kept too? If not, wouldn't you demand remdeial action to be taken? Where were you, BLM, and Verheugen when Aggornat (EU-MiC) declared that spring hunting would continue after EU accession? ToM I hope you do publish this as I am only saying the truth without offending anyone.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 20th 2011, 14:02
On the rare occasion AD makes itself heard it reiterates it position on spring hunting claiming spring hunting to be unsustainable.
Considering their success in the political field It might cross their mind rather than to comment on the sustainability of birds, to to check on their own sustainability as a political party. Maybe birdwatching would be far more rewarding than their political fiasco.
M.Scicluna
Mar 20th 2011, 13:59
The licence and insurance is the same cost when spring hunting season is open, so the goverment makes at least things good to reopen the season and thats all. He is the boss and no one can tell him what to do as the party needs the votes too.
censu attard
Mar 20th 2011, 13:16
Alternattiva Demokratika ,same old song,as the saying goes " they sound like a broken record ",
Joe Camilleri
Mar 20th 2011, 11:53
Well you are jealous because you are pleasing the extremists "environmental" lobby, from which you can only get a couple of votes.
And how can you say that it is unacceptable when all of the EU states have SPRING HUNTING !!!! really a case of only in malta
And if this govt really wants to serve the hunting lobby, then he should give us what the same Govt had promised.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 20th 2011, 11:19
AD are you following in BLM's footsteps?! Please, be respectful towards readers and present us with FACTS! Spring Hunting is possible for Malta. This has been confirmed by the EU itself, contrary to what is be stated in your article above. Furthermore, are you conveniently ignoring the ECJ ruling? Also, the turtle-dove and quail are not endangered species. With all these non-factual arguments, it is no wonder that you have never succeeded in obtaining a seat in Parliament!
M.Caruana
Mar 20th 2011, 11:50
Is 'not being endangered' your excuse to enjoy killing wildlife? humans are not an endangered species either, who are you to dictate what is right to kill for pleasure & what isn't, the only solution is for Malta to get fined & I can't wait for it to happen.I hope the government gives hunters the longest season & an unlimited number of species to kill.
Johnny Xerri
Mar 20th 2011, 16:08
M Caruana, I will firstly answer your question and secondly present you with one.
Yes, not being endangered is a bases for sustainable hunting. The EU or any other governing body has never banned hunting, but restricted the activity to game species that are not endangered and enacted regulations to ensure that the activity is sustainable. Moreover, hunting is not killing for pleasure, its killing an animal which will later on be consumed, whilst enjoying the activity. Its just like fishing, which nobody(including AD) objects to.
Secondy, can you please mention a country in which hunting is not allowed?
Ryan Agius
Mar 20th 2011, 09:26
Can you kindly clarify exactly the warning issued by the European Commision, because exactly it was issued that a Derogation may be applied because Autumn hunting for quails and turtle doves here in Malta is not sufficient for Spring, so kindly be exactly what you are trying to say because the government is just doing what he had to do from the beginning when Malta joined EU.
R Agius
Johnny Xerri
Mar 20th 2011, 09:17
Once we voted YES for the EU and hunting was included in the package then the government is pleasing nodoby by the electorate. Government has a democratic obligation, that he himself had entered into when he FREELY included hunting in the referendum manifesto.Full stop.
If fines have to be paid, then so be it. That is the cost of our votes. I pesonally would never have voted YES if hunting was not secured.
Some may say that I'm egositic, but come on who votes in the interest of his country, when he has something, anything, that may be lost? Come on lets stop playing at being sainty, everybody, votes in his interest.
Everybody has priorities, and everybody votes according to his priorities. Nobody has the right in a democracy to impose on others what priorities they should have, and surely no government has the right to do the opposite of what his mandate was, and most of all, no political party has the right to incite goverment into breaking democratic obligations. Especially political parties that never managed to garner more than 2 pence worth of votes!!
Mr. Briguglio certainly needs an enrollment on a crash course on democracy!!!