BirdLife boycotting Ornis Committee meeting
BirdLife Malta will not be attending today’s Ornis Committee meetin, the organisation said today.
It said it will be boycotting the meeting because the government’s tactics have shown that the Ornis Committee "is nothing more than a government created smokescreen for the politicised hunting issue".
BirdLife's decision follows the government's adoption of amendments to Malta’s spring hunting framework legislation twice in a matter of weeks, without Ornis Committee members even being aware that the legislation was drafted.
“BirdLife Malta refuses to be part of today’s powerless meeting which will be doing nothing more than rubber stamping what the government has already decided.” said BirdLife president and Ornis Committee member Joseph Mangion.
BirdLife's said that yesterday’s amendments came after the Commission last October renewed legal action against Malta for adopting spring hunting framework legislation.
It said that while the government addressed some of the issues raised by the Commission, the amendments at the same time further relaxed the previous legislation, by removing the limit of 2,500 hunting licenses.
The Prime Minister had also said that “Malta reached an exceptional agreement with the European Commission and that this is the first time that EC will be agreeing to a method through which a spring hunting derogation will be allowed".
This statement, BirdLife said, contradicted the government’s previous statements, made when the Commission decided to take Malta to ECJ, that they had agreed to spring hunting during the Accession Treaty Agreement.
“The Prime Minister now states that this is the first time an agreement has been reached on the spring hunting issue. Yet, we have reason to believe that this is once again a misleading statement as the European Commission does not make agreements with member states on derogations - the onus of the responsibility for applying a derogation and then justifying it rests with the government,” Mr Mangion said.
BirdLife Malta insisted that what has been agreed on is only the changes the European Commission requested from Malta in its framework legislation and this could in no way be interpreted as an open cheque for Malta to open a spring hunting season as implied by the prime minister.
BirdLife pointed out that during the ECJ case the government had suggested that 15,000 hunters and trappers in Malta and Gozo could hunt only around 5,000 quails and 4,000 turtle doves during the whole autumn hunting season.
"And this is despite the admissions of the hunting lobby that the actual number of birds shot and trapped are many times higher than what the hunters report in their carnet de chasse, as well as the fact that MEPA was aware of this serious under reporting," BirdLife said.
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42 Comments
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G Caruana
May 2nd, 14:52
This is what hunters had to say regarding a BL ornis boycott.
Mar 30th 2011, 08:27
First if BL does not attend this meeting it is showing what they are sore losers.
Mar 29th 2011, 21:22
Many a time the Ornis Committee decisions were not followed. and BLM did not complain...now coz its not to their liking all hell breaks loose.
Mar 29th 2011, 19:48
After BLM lost one battle after another, what cheek do they have to face the ornis commitee or the public
Mar 29th 2011, 18:24
BLM, sore losers that`s what they are,cannot face the truth.
Mar 29th 2011, 18:02
LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN , IF THEY DO NOT WIN THEY GO SULK IN A CORNER.
Mar 29th 2011, 17:17
Long may such boycott last. Participating in civil society with such an attitude problem is far from being welcome.
Mar 29th 2011, 17:17
Mhux Boycot dan jisejah imma tfal zghar ghax l babies jamlu hekk meta jindunaw li ma jistawx jaqaw ta cajt iktar
Mar 29th 2011, 17:12
you cannot face the Ornis Committee now that your unfounded arguments have been exposed for what they truly are!
Hope you applied it to FKNK now.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 30th 2011, 11:28
Jason Borg, as I have had occasion to comment, ameliorations are expected BUT what is sure is that you and many others have been exposed of your non-factual statements and arguments. I know it is difficult for you to stomach but SPRING HUNTING IS LEGAL. Maybe, today it is "half a quail" but this could only be the beginning. One thing is for sure, BLM and Co have been ridiculed since they have been exposed of their lies! Bear with it, Sir! Meanwhile, I agree with you on one thing. Yes, the Maltese hunters were promised much more than this prior to pre-election/pre-referendum. However, I must say that notwithstanding this, there has been a victory by hunters over the deceitful anti-hunting lobby!
mario salnitro
Mar 30th 2011, 08:27
First if BL does not attend this meeting it is showing what they are sore losers.
As to this Spring season we all hope that we will not turn out into a witch hunt by the police!!!
Also we have lost 4 years of our hobby how can PN ever repay us of our LOSS????
MEDITATE GENTE MEDITATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
godfrey pisani
Mar 29th 2011, 23:16
when will you understand that what ever birdlife say it will never be proven , through 100's of years it was always a fact that there is no alternative for spring , this is a case closed . now we shall see what the show in the media will be . birdlife here they come .....
mario salnitro
Mar 30th 2011, 08:33
For sure they will open there freezers and take photo's of some bird covered in ketchup!!!
Henry Fenech Azzopardi
Mar 29th 2011, 22:42
To all the law abiding hunters please note.
This is the beginning of a new era in the Maltese history of hunting. We have to learn from our own mistakes and try our best not to repeat them. We have to instill a new image and safeguard what we have achieved. My personal advise to you all is:
Enjoy your hobby within the parameters of the law.
Report any abuses of illegality.
Cooperate with authorised personnell appointed to enforce the law.
Ignore any provocation that might come your way.
Think twice before you take any action and if need be consult the federation because no one will give you better protection.
The Carnet de Chasse is the official records accepted at EU and ECJ level and consequently great care should be taken to complete booklets in a proper way.
The bag limits for the spring season depend on the recording of the bags caught in the previous autumn season.
It is adviseable, therefore, that hunters should limit their catch in autumn on other specices such as Song Trush, Skylarks, Starling, Woodcock, Golden Plover, Lapwing Woodpigeon etc etc. This will give the hunter the maximum bag limit the following Spring Season.
Johnny Xerri
Mar 29th 2011, 21:22
Many a time the Ornis Committee decisions were not followed. and BLM did not complain...now coz its not to their liking all hell breaks loose.
Ornis had voted against the 3pm curfew during Spetember, with only BLM voting in favour. Although in total Ornis was against the 3pm ban, the PM still followed BLM's demand and allowed hunting only till 3pm.
So when its to their liking they are silent, and when its not they cry foul like th little brats they are!!!
Anglu Xerri
Mar 29th 2011, 21:08
When is the Government and the Opposition along with the Ornis Commitee and the Hunting Federations going to come down from Cloud No'9 and admit that the two species in question are on the decline and should be protected in spring. There is not 20,000 quails and 20,000 doves that passes over these Islands in the combined seasons, Spring and Autumn. Bagging that many birds is a myth, and even if they do it only amount to about two birds each hunter. The spring is when these birds try to nest and must not be killed. Also in spring there are other song birds that build nests in fields that get molested by hunting dogs such as the Meadow Lark , Corn Bunting and others. For once do something and be counted and suggest to the Government to close the Spring Hunt for a few years, Shoot only none led pellets, pick up all the spend shells and dismantle all the ugly hides, rebuild all damaged rubble walls.Hunting Federations must run Seminars and educate your members. Report all poachers and be ready to be a witness in a court of Law. Then you can call yourselfs CONSERVATIONISTS.
Johnny Xerri
Mar 31st 2011, 07:20
Mr Anglu Xerri,
Non toxic lead is only required in wet land areas, simply because hunting lead is only toxic if ingested accidently by wading birds and water fowl. Thus your assertion that we should swap to non toxic lead holds no water since the lead we use is not harming the environment.
The conservation work that you mention is already being done. Rubble wall upkeeping, tree pruning, tree planting, habitat conservation, sustainable agriculture, release of game (for which FKNK was challenged in court by BLM) are already taking place.
Re the mentioning of these game birds being on the decline, please be aware that this is not so, otherwise the commission itself would have rejected spring hunting.
Poaching is being tackled with FKNK even going as far as rejecting blood money and proposing that if they expel a member other hunting clubs do not accept the membership so that poacher will no longer be able to form part of the hunting community. Other hunting clubs did not agree with this, so its rather unfair to blame FKNK or the hunters for the short comings of other clubs.
In the future please inform yourself before placing a comment...
John Matthews
Mar 29th 2011, 20:35
If my memory serves me correctly, in reply to previous TOM posts, it was mentioned that some decisions were made/taken at the Ornis Committee meetings and said decisions were not to be made public at that stage. Later it transpired that these decisions were leaked to the press, possibly by BLM. My point being that if they do not attend future meetings, then perhaps any decisions will be kept under wraps until the appropriate time. It has its advantages.
Henry Fenech Azzopardi
Mar 29th 2011, 23:24
How right you are my friend. I remember that after four hours of interuptions leaving for home well past eigth in the evening to listen to all that was supposed to be a confidential meeting, in the evening news. Lately there was also ORNIS minutes made public by Birdlife.
Today we have experienced a similar situation on leaving the MEPA premises where we were faced with a TV camera and an interviewer, but luckily Birdlife were not there to give their version of the proceedings of the meeting.
I take this opportunity to take a positive note of this situation by pleading to Birdlife to join in the efforts to control illegal activity. Spring Huntiing is no longer an issue. It is there to stay.They did their utmost to brain wash the public but it rebounded and are now blaming the government for coming up with an accord with the EU on the subject of Spring Hunting.
Malta has struck a deal that no other European Country managed to get and instead of accepting and acknowledging this situation , Birdlife try to discredit our Government for its achievments .
Joe Mangani
Mar 30th 2011, 10:05
Well Mr Matthews, Mr Fenech Azzopardi, it seems your theory does not hold water, because PBS were happy announcing the outcome of the Ornis Committee yesterday evening. So now you're on for the search of who is really leaking stuff from Ornis Committee!
Joe Camilleri
Mar 29th 2011, 19:48
After BLM lost one battle after another, what cheek do they have to face the ornis commitee or the public. They say " The more the merRier" but in this case, THE LESS THE MERRIER
J Mangani
Mar 29th 2011, 21:47
Well Mr Matthews, it seems your theory does not hold water, because PBS were happy announcing the outcome of the Ornis Committee tonight. So you're on for the search of who is really leaking stuff now from Ornis Committee!
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 29th 2011, 18:57
Anthony M, I presume you do have a name! You had to hide it since you appear to be one of the diehards who just cannot stomach it that SPRING HUNTING IS LEGAL! And please do stop your scaremongering about fines! You have succeeded in contradicting yourself in your short comment, namely, "A derogation for Spring hunting can be applied", "how I see it, the situation in Malta can never fulfill this criteria", "this does not prove that Spring hunting is legal." What exactly are you trying to say? Personal opinions do not hold water! The EU has accepted that Spring Hunting is possible for Malta! The ECJ has ruled that Spring Hunting is legal for Malta. Do you think your personal opinion counts in any way??!! Spring Hunting is so legal that even last year it was open in a LEGAL manner and no infringements/action were taken against Malta. This is not the way I see it but FACTUAL!!
Jason Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 19:27
Well...I hope hunters can stomach half a quail. Any hunter worth his salt would admit that this is another of Gonzi's pre-election tactics. Madame Zarb Darmanin, what hunters want is a full spring season like they used to enjoy in the past, without sms and tallies. Now if you want to continue singing victory, you are free to do so, but in my opinion your cherished victory is an insult to the hunters. Check this link and see for yourself if a SINGLE hunter is claiming victory. http://forum.huntinginmalta.org.mt//YaBB.pl?num=1299923055 and this one as well, please madame... http://forum.huntinginmalta.org.mt//YaBB.pl?num=1301393299
censu attard
Mar 29th 2011, 18:24
BLM, sore losers that`s what they are,cannot face the truth.
Jason Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 18:58
Judging from what the hunters are writing in their online forum, it does not appear they are singing victory. On the contrary, they are coming all out against this "agreement". Only those blinded with political fanaticism are claiming victory.
censu attard
Mar 29th 2011, 21:14
@ Jason Borg,
Please read my comment properly and slowly and in case you don`t understand English properly tell someone to translate it in Maltese for you,because I never mentioned any hunters in my comment,
Jason Borg
Mar 30th 2011, 03:55
Not only can I understand English, I can also read between the lines. Don't be so naive, Mr. Attard.
Tony Caruana
Mar 29th 2011, 18:02
LIKE LITTLE CHILDREN , IF THEY DO NOT WIN THEY GO SULK IN A CORNER.
GOOD RIDDANCE !
Jason Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 18:14
Kien hemm żmien meta l-FKNK ukoll ibbojkottjat l-Ornis. Allura l-istess kliem tiegħek jgħodd għalihom ukoll, jew two weights, two measures?
Joe Camilleri
Mar 29th 2011, 21:10
@Jason Borg
Meta l-FKNK ibbojkotjat l-ornis, ibbojkotjatu ghax kella ragun, ghax minn dejjem kienet tghid li l-kacca fir rebbiegha hija legali u minhabba l-manuvrar tal BLM ahna tlifna li nohorgu ghall kacca.
Issa, li kulhadd jaf li BLM QATT MA KELLA RAGUN, issa trid tibojkotja l-ornis. Ghaliex tahseb li dabbar rasu Tolga Temuge, ghax kien jaf li battalja mitlufa, ghax kieku hawn kien jibqa, jgawdi r-rebha.
saviour deguara
Mar 29th 2011, 17:51
@effie carbonaro...Dr Gonzi is thinking elections and votes and not tradition and culture mr carbonaro... possibli ghadek ma drajtux kif jaghmel meta tkun qed tersaq l-elezzjoni??
jbusuttil
Mar 29th 2011, 17:59
What election? usual excuses you never learn.
m.vassallo
Mar 29th 2011, 18:08
the less they know the better, yesterday they hated & cursed the prime minister, today they applaud him & praise him, tomorrow who knows? one thing is certain, hunters always come in handy at election time.
john borg
Mar 29th 2011, 18:23
lets not forget that the FKNK fought this important battle before the ECJ and won important concessions, with no help, this fact is too well known and no one else can take its merit,
Paul A. Camilleri
Mar 29th 2011, 17:46
Why on earth is BLM making such a fuss? If you ask me the amount of days, bag limit and hunting hours are just a FARCE !!!!!! To me the above is unacceptable. Once EFA promised us that nothing will be touched from what we had prior to the elections for EU membership.
Fabian Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 18:40
I take the liberty to quote part of the letter signed by EFA. " tkomplu tgawdu id-delizzju taghkhom fis-shieh " For us "shieh" means in whole meaning 2 months open season and no bag limits. This is very far away from what EFA wanted us to think but it is a start we can build upon. Hopefully society will start to realise what important part the hunter and conservationist plays in the safekeeping of natural habitats and with our present contribution and maybe more of it we can negotiate better deals in the future. Give and take, sow and harvest, and so on....
R.Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 17:27
BirdLife boycotting Ornis Committee meeting
Thank God!
Good ridance to bad......
effie carbonaro
Mar 29th 2011, 17:23
who does bird-life think it is ?how dare you impose yourself on a government,perhaps you have ever right defending birds but Mr gonzi has ever right too defending Maltese culture and tradition and first of all its people
Fabian Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 17:21
A round of applause - BLM finally realised that the ORNIS is a PARAVENTU. FKNK have been saying this all along. Now that a decision has been taken that limits their strength and most of all drops all their arguments when saying that Spring Hunting is illegal, so it turns up it is NOT just like it was not illegal for the past 5 centuries. If BLM decide to boycott the ORNIS meeting they can do so anytime. Whether the decision to open a spring hunting season was political or not is irrelevant. I am sure it is political, but the way it will be done goes to prove a point, that spring hunting is possible PUNTO e BASTA. Just be assured that this time around you will not be on your own watching for turtle doves this spring.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Mar 29th 2011, 17:17
Long may such boycott last. Participating in civil society with such an attitude problem is far from being welcome. Your absence from the ORNIS committee can only be described as a breath of fresh air that will allow justice to follow its course without countless obstacles that only radicals can come up with. We sincerely hope some people with an interest in birds will be appointed in your stead. Mark Mifsud Bonnici Kaccaturi San Ubertu
I Balzan
Mar 29th 2011, 22:08
The only breath of fresh air is that you have to settle with a bag limit for turtle dove and quail which can also be reduced depending on the catch in Autumn.
Ryan Agius
Mar 29th 2011, 17:17
Mhux Boycot dan jisejah imma tfal zghar ghax l babies jamlu hekk meta jindunaw li ma jistawx jaqaw ta cajt iktar jisupervjaw u jintefaw f kantuniera jibku
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Mar 29th 2011, 17:12
BLM you never give up do you? You have been exposed of your lies, black t-shirt and all. I can sympathise with you that you cannot fact the Ornis Committee now that your unfounded arguments have been exposed for what they truly are! Maybe Mr Mangion can explain to us readers his previous claims that the ECJ ruled against hunters or that Spring hunting is illegal. What do you have to say about this, Sir?!
Anthony M
Mar 29th 2011, 18:30
A derogation for Spring hunting can be applied by every member state however it has to fulfill certain criteria and how I see it, the situation in Malta can never fulfill this criteria. The government is free to do what he wants this year however he has to prove that the derogation applied is in line with the birds directive. If he fails to do this the government will have to pay fines. The government has already lost the case for breaching the birds directive for past years on Spring hunting and this time he can't get it wrong. We just have to wait and see but surely this does not prove that Spring hunting is legal.
Anthony Formosa
Mar 29th 2011, 16:33
"And this is despite the admissions of the hunting lobby that the actual number of birds shot and trapped are many times higher than what the hunters report in their carnet de chasse, as well as the fact that MEPA was aware of this serious under reporting," BirdLife said. Can Mr Mangion and his bird watchers prove with their data that the Carnet de chasse is wrong?
Jason Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 21:22
One thing is sure. The statistics gathered from the Carnet De Chasse is highly unreliable. Now even the FKNK is saying so.
K Bonello
Mar 29th 2011, 16:31
Haluna darba ghal dejjem tal-birdlife
Jason Borg
Mar 29th 2011, 19:03
Ma ntikx tort titkellem hekk, għax kemm ilha teżisti l-BirdLife, tliftu:
- xebgħa tajr li kontu tisparaw fuqu u li issa ġie protett
- aċċettajtu li t-tajr tal-priża mhux kaċċa
- inqerdet il-kaċċa għall-borok fuq il-baħar
- tliftu l-kaċċa fir-rebbiegħa (forsi tikkonslaw b'gamiema u nofs summiena)
- spiċċa l-insib għal tal-għana
eċċ eċċ...
mark farrugia
Mar 29th 2011, 16:26
BLM and co this time you not only lost the battle but the war as well :)))