Kurt Sansone
No EU ‘deal’ on spring hunting
An 18-day spring hunting season opens on April 13.
The EU Commission has refuted claims that a deal was struck with the government on a spring hunting derogation, in a letter to Birdlife Malta.
A spokesman for Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik told Birdlife that although the Commission welcomed the changes to the framework legislation allowing spring hunting, it did not mean that Brussels came to “any agreement” or reached “any deal” with the government.
The correspondence was published yesterday by Birdlife after Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi said last week that Malta reached an agreement with the Commission on the framework legislation that would regulate the spring hunting derogation.
Dr Gonzi’s remark was repeated on Friday in a government statement officially announcing the dates of this year’s spring hunting season.
The government’s stand was also criticised by Alternattiva Demokratika.
However, reacting to the criticism the government yesterday said Birdlife and AD were only interested in understanding what suited them.
The government statement pointed out that in the letter circulated by Birdlife the Commission spokesman himself said Brussels had welcomed the framework legislation that allowed spring hunting.
“The Prime Minister never said there was an agreement on a particular derogation. On the contrary, he said that the details of the derogation would change depending on the conditions in that particular year,” the government said.
The statement also pointed out that Dr Gonzi warned in Parliament that unless hunters cooperated to ensure that regulations were adhered to strictly, the right to hunt in spring could be lost.
The issue revolves around the use of the term ‘agreement’ since technically no such agreement on spring hunting could have been reached.
The Commission approved the new framework legislation that allows spring hunting for 11,000 turtledoves and 5,000 quails, but this does not mean spring hunting is an automatic right.
Every year, the government would still have to justify the opening of a spring hunting season to the Commission’s satisfaction.
“The Commission’s positive opinion on the... legislative changes cannot be taken as a carte blanche to open spring hunting derogations in Malta every year on an indefinite basis.
“It will still remain for Malta, before opening any particular spring hunting derogation, to determine whether all the conditions... of the Birds Directive, for opening a season are met,” the Commission spokesman wrote.
He added that the Commission would use all necessary means available to it to ensure the European Court of Justice ruling and the Birds Directive were respected.
Birdlife executive director Paul Debono said the onus of responsibility for opening a spring hunting season this year and beyond laid solely with the government.
“Should the Commission consider taking further legal action under Article 260 of the Lisbon Treaty, Malta can end up at the European Court of Justice, facing fines at the expense of the Maltese taxpayer,” Mr Debono said.
On Friday, the government issued a legal notice opening an 18-day spring hunting season between April 13 and 30.
A bag limit of 9,000 turtledoves and 2,500 quails was also set.
All hunters will be able to apply for a special spring hunting licence, contrary to the 2,500 limit imposed last year.
Birdlife poured scorn on this decision, describing it as a charade since the bag limits mean hunters would roughly be expected to shoot one bird each over the 18-day season.
“The Commission and the Maltese public will see straight through this charade of a spring hunting season,” Mr Debono said.
Spring hunting in numbers
10,387: The number of licensed hunters
11,000: The maximum number of turtledoves that may be hunted in spring
5,000: The maximum number of quails that may be hunted in spring
9,000: The maximum number of turtledoves that may be hunted in spring 2011
2,500: The maximum number of quails that may be hunted in spring 2011
21,000: The maximum number of turtledoves that may be hunted in autumn
20,000: The maximum number of quails that may be hunted in autumn
The framework legislation sets the maximum number of turtledoves and quails that can be hunted in spring. However, each year the government has to set spring hunting limits based on the number of birds hunted the previous autumn. No spring hunting will be allowed if hunters reach the maximum bag limits in autumn.
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13 Comments
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Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 3rd 2011, 22:03
It appears that C Cassar is still unable to substantiate his non-factual statements. Therefore M Debono jumps in!! Which blinkers are you referring to M Debono? The ones antis have become accustomed to wear? You state: "this does not mean spring hunting is an automatic right." NEITHER IS IT ILLEGAL!!! ACTUALLY, THE MALTESE HUNTERS WILL BE ENJOYING THEIR TRADITIONAL PASTIME, THIS SPRING! A VERY, VERY SOUR PILL FOR YOU TO SWALLOW!!
J Formosa, you state "No EU ‘deal’ ..No EU ‘deal’ ..No EU ‘deal’, unnecessary high hopes is a sign of delirium." Well, SPRING HUNTING IS LEGAL, SPRING HUNTING IS LEGAL, SPRING HUNTING IS LEGAL. It appears that repetition makes you feel better after your recent disappointment. Or should I say repetition is due to YOUR delirium?!
Mario Gauci
Apr 3rd 2011, 17:06
At the end of the day the result is that birds will be killed, disturbing sound of shots early in the morning, deposit of lead in the soil, pollution from gunpwder, plastic cartridges in the country side.
And all this apart from the illegalities which are bound to take place.
Johnny Xerri
Apr 3rd 2011, 20:33
Birds are still killed world-wide...even in the EU...so much so that the EU allows hunting subject to the Birds Directive and does not ban the practice...
Distured by sounds of shot early in the morning....yep....and whch village is immune from traffic, firework petards, bars. If Paceville (orStorbjuville) users can enjoy disurbting people, if feast fanatics can enjoy disturbing people & animals, if sport entusiasts can enjoy disturbing traffic evey time they race (humans, horses, cars)....then why cannot a hunter enjoy a max of 3 weeks during spring....in the countryside that unlike villages was intended for rural activity&lifestyle and not habitation by the wealthy that can afford 'farm-houses'...
Deposit of lead in soil? Hunting loads do not contain pure lead, but an alloy that is perfectly safe since it is not water soluble since it oxidises with air...so much so that hunting has been praticed in my olive planations (4 tumoli) for at least 150 years and they still manage to be tested and classified as organic.
Pollution from gunpowder...1.45grams of gunpowder...even a fart would pollute more!!!
Most cartridges are biodigradable.
Illegalities that are bound to happen....mention one activity practiced by society in which laws are not broken.
Johnny Xerri
Apr 3rd 2011, 16:34
Manipulation of facts is the order of the day in Malta!!!
This article quotes figures for maximum allowable autumn bags....but in reality every idiot on earth (including BLM) knoes that autumn hunting is not in any way restricted by qoutas. The 21000 turtle doves and 20000 quail, imply that if these figures are caught then there is not justification for opening the following spring hunting season. Wishfully autumn hunting could result in 1 million of each spieces being caught and we would still have no problem, but simply not be alloed to hunt in the following spring.
However, such volumes will never be caught in autumn, so if the commission welcomed the framework. and if th commission is to follow the ECJ court caase ruling, i.e. that autumn is no alternative to spring, then in principle it is saying that some hunting is allowable, with the min concern being how much is allowable. Clearly something more than autumn is allowable otherwise on would not have a suitable alternative. This is rather different from BLM stance, that spring hunting is illegal.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Apr 3rd 2011, 16:12
Each derogation from the Birds Directive is followed by a report by the state derogating. This report is evaluated and subsequently its correctness evaluated.
Deals TO OVERRULE this CONDITION are not possible.
The only thing that is possible is SPRING HUNTING within the conditions of the Birds directive. THIS ACCORDING TO BIRDLIFE MALTA IS ILLEGAL THROUGHOUT THE EU OR SO THEY TRIED SO HARD TO CONVINCE EVERYONE.
it seems they will only swallow their bitter pill once a derogation has been fulfilled and have pledged to "FIGHT TOOTH AND NAIL FOR THE ELIMINATION" of any such possibility.
What more can one expect from ABOLITIONISTS.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 3rd 2011, 14:05
BLM/Paul Debono, playing with words will get you nowhere, similar to your unfounded claims that Spring Hunting is illegal! Facts are that the ECJ did rule in favour of hunters, Spring Hunting is Legal (where are those personalities sporting the famous black t-shirt?) and come Wednesday week, the Maltese hunters will be out in the countryside along with their shotgun and hunting-dogs!!! I had wished that following Tolga Temuge's departure and your appointment in his stead one would see some improvements in BLM's attitude BUT it seems that birds of a feather flock together!!
J.Formosa
Apr 3rd 2011, 14:58
No EU ‘deal’ ..No EU ‘deal’ ..No EU ‘deal’, unnecessary high hopes is a sign of delirium.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin
Apr 3rd 2011, 14:01
C Cassar, you have still not substantiated you claim of yesterday that hunting will soon be banned! Serious individuals substantiate such statements, why are you avoiding it. Furthermore, does your mathematical logic still believe that 6 days are longer than 18 days??!! Meanwhile "It's very simple, there's no guarantee" that next year the maximum number of birds to be shot will remain the same!! Hunters may be allowed to shoot at a larger number! This is only the beginning. The most important point being that BLM and Co's claims that Spring Hunting is illegal have come to nothing. SPRING HUNTING IS LEGAL. One step at a time, Sir/Madam!
M.Debono
Apr 3rd 2011, 16:04
Are those blinkers still impairing your eyesight ? read what it says, or better still get yourself a copy of the letter from the EU Commission stating that it refuted claims that a deal was struck with the government on a spring hunting derogation ,that it did not mean that Brussels came to “any agreement” or reached “any deal” with the government just because it welcomed the changes, approves the framework legislation but this does not mean spring hunting is an automatic right. Please be factual in your arguments.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 3rd 2011, 10:03
The issue revolves around the use of the term ‘agreement’ since technically no such agreement on spring hunting could have been reached.
BLM tend to revolve with anything even when they said that spring hunting is ILLEGAL. Agreement, Pact, Concensus, Guarantee, Compromise, etc etc they all revolve with DEAL.
C Cassar
Apr 3rd 2011, 10:01
So, all the rubbish spouted yesterday by the 'hunters' was exactly that. What can't they understand aboutthe statement from the EU:
"No EU ‘deal’ on spring hunting"
It's very simple, there's no guarantee of a single day next year or any year after that. Keep denying yourselves while the rest of us move forward.
Anthony Formosa
Apr 3rd 2011, 12:50
Keep on moving forward ghal gol hajt Mr Cassar :)
l fenech
Apr 3rd 2011, 08:43
Nixtieq inkun naf biex ser jiftahar dan il gvern la tasal l-elezzjoni kalla irid sentejn ohra.