FKNK hits out at woodland regulations
Plantations cared for by hunters in the south of Malta
The Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta (FKNK) has strongly objected to sections of the draft Trees and Woodlands Regulations describing them as a 'monster'.
"It is astonishingly clear that the draft regulations are the result of armchair thinking with little basis in reality," the federation said.
It said that the section of the regulations dealing with 'invasive or alien species', needed to be revised and amended to take into account that the majority of existing plantations contributed in no small measure to the present beauty of the Maltese landscape.
It insisted that compensatory measures should be in place for any trees that have to be replaced, and at no cost to the landowners. No discrimination between different entities should take place and, the FKNK said, it should be represented on the board of the Competent Authority since many of the plantations were planted by hunters.
The association said the Maltese countryside is now much greener than it was up to some time ago. This environment 'miracle' did not happen overnight but was mainly brought about by the hunters and trappers who did their utmost to transform their mini-acres from semi-desert into miniature oases.
"They did this by investing their time, labour, energy and money in planting thousands of trees and nursing them to full growth. As a result of these efforts, the Maltese and Gozitan countryside looks a great deal better than it did a generation ago."
It could not be denied, the federation said, that, without any fanfare, the hunters and trappers have contributed the lion's share to the greening of the Maltese islands over many years.
However, it warned, the new Trees and Woodlands regulations could deal a major blow to this great achievement, inasmuch as they pave the way for the possibility that all such trees may be destroyed and removed.... at the sole discretion of the Competent Authority.
That would be a great folly and would constitute a massive setback for the very environment they purport to protect.
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Hugh Jampton
Nov 7th 2011, 10:53
From an EU study document....
"Several studies have been performed on
bird communities. In Portugal, Eucalyptus
plantations have been shown to have
impoverished bird communities compared
to those in native stands, while the
changes were shown to be more complex
in Pice sitchensis plantations in Ireland
(Dias et al., 2000; O’Halloran et al.,
1998; Rego, 2001). In northern Sweden,
introduced Pinus contorta was compared
to native Scots pine, using the Pied
Flycatcher as an indicator. No change in
population sizes was recorded, but other
population parameters related to reproductive
success were significantly lower
in the plantations with introduced pine
(Sjoberg et al., 1993).
From these case studies, it appears that to
avoid unwanted changes in biodiversity,
every introduction of non-native forest
tree species needs to be carefully assessed
with respect to biodiversity effects and
evaluated taking into account potential
risks. Long-term research and monitoring
is needed to better understand the effects
of non-native species."
Alex Ellul
Nov 7th 2011, 07:16
If 10,000 hunters shoot 100 cartridges every season, they deposit 56 metric tons of lead in our soil every year. Now, if hunters have bben doing this for 100 years, then we have deposited in our agriculturally sensitive areas of Malta 5600 tons of lead.
The trees planted by hunters are quick-growing trees that deplete the soil from nutrients.
So now we have a lead-poisoned, nutrient deficient bird-free island.
Farrku Kollox in-Nies Kattivi
Peter Galea
Nov 6th 2011, 23:49
sa fejn naf jien dawk il kwantita ta sigar l-aktar taz-zebbug li hemm il-manikata sa l-ahrax tal melliea barra bnadi ohra kien hawwilhom il gvern snin ilu u qatt ma instemat li dawn thawlu mil ghaqda fknk, konservenisti li joqtlu l-ghasafar. Li hu zgur li aktar min darba, ma tul il lejn hafna sigar gew imqacta (madwar 1000 jew aktar) min vandali, li naturalment mhux kaccaturi ghax kienu kontra xi ligijiet introdotti biex jikkontrollaw il-kacca u jipprojbixxu il-qtil ta ghasafar protetti. Izda dawn gew riplesjati min hafna persuni u sahansitra anke tfal ta li skola u ghaqdiet li vera ihobbu l-ambjent u bi flushom. Ricentament kwantita ta sigar fil gnien kbir ta kennedy grove gew twahhlu min hafna ghaqdiet volontarji u individwi li jhobbu l-ambjent. L-ghaqda fknk ma wahlu l-ebda sigra hawn ghax hawn ma jistghx joqtlu ghasafar.Naf ukoll li xi nassaba kienu qactu xi sigar li kinu qrib hafna l-mansab. dak iz-zmien kien ghad jistghu jonsba ghal ghasafa ta l-ghana. U xi kaccatur halli jkollu vista ahjar. Li hu zgur ukoll li dawk iz-zminijiet instabu ukoll hafna sigar imqactin ma tul il-lejn min round abouts u postijiet ohra. Dawn dejjem mhux il kaccaturi; forsi min jaf, tqactu min xi sajjieda jew ghawwiema. Halluna fknk. In-nies mhux boloh.
Victor Falzon
Nov 6th 2011, 23:09
"miniature oases"... "environment miracle"
FKNK waxes romantic about these groves of death that they create. I shudder to think what happens to a flock of night herons that try to land in any of these "oases".
FKNK try and make us forget WHY they grow these artificial plantations. Sure, it's their utter love for trees. Ha, yeah right.
Steve Zammit
Nov 6th 2011, 22:23
Strange how nowhere in the above article did the FKNK specify what the absolute majority of these trees they planted actually are....
Hunters planted the most alien of trees that don't even go with our Mediterranean landscape and grow fast and are invasive, with their sole purpose to attract birds so they can be killed. To this very day, hunters still plant Eucalyptus trees even though its against the law to do so
The 'miniature oasis' are ALIEN Eucalyptus trees they planted everywhere with their sole purpose to lure birds down for the kill
Its better if at least you plant MALTESE Trees instead....
CHARLES VELLA
Nov 6th 2011, 22:11
l hope the people who are inputting there comments are not the same people who leave all there garbage bags behind them hanging on trees or put down wall for snails.. If any one like confirm what l am saying tomorrow is the best day to come after weekend
Charles Muscat
Nov 6th 2011, 22:03
Gutless politicians
Johnny Xerri
Nov 6th 2011, 21:55
The comments below expose the extremist attitiude that verges on the stupidity and exposes the anti tolerant...arrogant...childish...petty minds of the antis.
1. Without even taking note of the benefits of trees, benefits such as reducing the effects of the carbon footprint that humans leave, the home they provide to insects and other animals that form part of the food chain, and their visual impact....the antis would prefer losing these benefits...just because the hunters planted and look after these trees.
2. The fact that these trees are used for many products that are beneficial to society...such as the nectar they provide during the summer months to bees...such as the possibility of using these trees prunings for fire wood...such as the potential medicinal uses that may be exploited from these trees.
3. The resting place and possible breeding area that they provide during closed seasons.
4. The fact that non endemic trees have been planted by many...even by the government in roundabouts and to mark and segment roads.
In a nut shell the antis prefer having less trees and losing out on the benefits that they may provide simply because they are planted by hunters....the word conservationalists in the hunters federation implies that hunters first have to maintain habitats and look after them and then hunt...the antis would orefer us to just hunt and not plant trees!!!!
Ivan Calleja
Nov 6th 2011, 21:36
FKNK - Santo Subito!! Halluna!!!
Frans van Avendonk
Nov 6th 2011, 20:00
The last veil of the "conservationists" has fallen. This "greening project" was only for self interest as no one can "enjoy" it without risking to get a broadside!
Johnny Xerri
Nov 7th 2011, 04:45
Oh silly me...
the trees planted by hunters do not counter act the pollution...its only the trees planted by the bunny huggers that reduce the carbon foot print.
The trees planted by hunters are not green buy stone colour, with aluminium windows and cemet roofs.
The trees planted by hunters are not a resting spot (and possible breeding spot) during the closed season and host a multitude of different organisims all year round...the animals actually read signs and only visit
the bunny huggers trees.
Mr F Van Avendonk....please eplain to us if hunting takes place in your country...and if your chaps plant a tree or else simply free ride on what is available...
Contrary to many hunters who are blessed with natural occuring woods and forests...the maltese hunters have enhanced their own environment in order to practice a legally practiced hobby...and yet people complain even for the trees that we planted...how extremist can one be.
Mark Cutajar
Nov 6th 2011, 19:59
So every time we come across one of those yellow circles we find a disturbed guy with a shotgun? think I'll buy a treadmill.
Johnny Xerri
Nov 7th 2011, 04:39
Disturbed people are actually those extremists who;
1. Are not aware of the rights that people have, rights that result from the EU Bords Directive and from property rights.
2. Are so extrimist in character that expect government to oppose a practice that is allowed all over the world.
3. Are so unti democratic that they incite government to break a democratic obligation that was entered into during the 2003 referendum and election.
Patrick Zammit
Nov 6th 2011, 19:52
Where does the beauty of a tree lie when it is used to lure birds to their doom?
Mr Jimmy Vella
Nov 6th 2011, 19:46
The hunters plant trees not because they like to see the countryside green but to attract any bird to these trees where then there is a frenzie of shots fired from all angles into the tree,and that will be the last time we see the bird.!!!!!!
John J Borg
Nov 6th 2011, 19:42
dont know whether to laugh or cry......trees are important for our lives, and it does not make any difference if they are endemic or not. this new authority should preserve what has been achieved so far, and start distributing endemic trees.
Piero Selvaggi
Nov 6th 2011, 20:45
I cried with laughter..............................They are the best show in town
Victor Falzon
Nov 6th 2011, 22:59
@ John J Borg
It may not make a difference in your life, but then it's not your life that is at stake here. As history has repeatedly shown, whenever you introduce an alien species, you create problems for the native flora and fauna. Naturally you may not care a hoot about all this, but your indifference or lack of awareness doesn't make the problems go away.
G Caruana
Nov 6th 2011, 19:32
Plant trees to kill birds.The Foresta 2000 incident is a prime example of a hunter's respect for trees.
The only reason hunter's plant trees is to play hide & kill, & if you consider that a miniature oases it must be the most hostile oasis on the planet.Yes the countryside is greener with all those camouflaged outfits roaming around.
Try olive trees, or do they take too long to grow?
A Sultana
Nov 6th 2011, 19:19
the yellow circles show where the most lead polluted soils in malta are
Jeffrey Borg
Nov 6th 2011, 19:15
Where can I find this detailed map?
S. Briffa
Nov 6th 2011, 19:06
Sorry what about all the lead and cartridges left on the plantations...is that also taken care of by hunters!!!!
A. Tabone
Nov 6th 2011, 18:36
Oases of Eucalyptus trees. Had you had proper environmental credentials and our well-being at heart, you would have planted endemic trees. As things stand, you planted the fastest growing and most invasive trees you could find.
Call that "a massive setback."
Alfred Zammit
Nov 6th 2011, 20:07
I know hunters who have also planted endemic trees, especially Aleppo pine, olive, and 'sigra tal-gharghar'. Having said that, I also suggest to A. Tabone that the eucalyptus tree has many uses, is an excellent sequestrator of carbon emissions, and above all is extremely beneficial to the Maltese beekeeping industry.
I am informed that the full FKNK Critique can be viewed at http://archive.huntinginmalta.org.mt/uploads/24/823/FKNK_critique_of_trees_and_woodlands_regs.pdf
Tony Caruana
Nov 6th 2011, 20:57
If you are such an expert please explain why the African Tamarisk is an endemic and yet in most countries especially in America it is considered as a pest and a highly destructive tree.
David Hill
Nov 6th 2011, 21:34
I don't agree with the indiscriminate shooting of birds that takes place in Malta, but planting trees that will provide both food and roosts for birds can not be a bad idea.
I know that if they get the chance the birds are likely to drop seed from the fruit and berries they eat which may then grow, but then people eat fruit and spit out or throw away the seeds so should all non endemic fruit be banned as well?
How anyone can call Eucalyptus trees invasive I don't know, the seed capsules often require fire and/or smoke to get the seed to drop and to germinate, and I don't remember hearing much about bush fires sweeping across Malta.
Steve Zammit
Nov 6th 2011, 21:59
Tony the Tamarisk Tree is an indigenous tree and is definitely no pest in Malta and very adaptable to our climate. Is the Tamarisk indigenous in America or is it alien? whats your point
A. Tabone
Nov 6th 2011, 22:00
@ Mr. A. Zammit: It may have a lot of uses, but it's still an invasive and poisoning tree. And it's also adept at starting bush-fires in Australia. I'd rather have an endemic tree than Eucalyptus. That tree is only planted because it's a quick growing tree. Goes to show that hunters look at trees as a means to an end, (attract birds) rather than an end in itself, as claimed above.
@ Mr. T. Caruana: 'Endemic' simply means it's naturally found in a habitat. That tree is endemic to Malta as much as the Eucalyptus is endemic to Australia. Something can be a pest somewhere and yet exist in nature somewhere else. It's not about being "such an expert" - it's about talking about something from a position of knowledge. And knowledge can today be gained easily by anyone. In fact, I suggest you look up the word "netiquette."
Victor Falzon
Nov 6th 2011, 22:53
@ Alfred Zammit
None of the trees you mentioned are endemic to Malta, which goes to show how well informed you are. If the eucalyptus tree has many uses may the Australians make the best use of them. The most elementary tenets of conservation today strongly discourage the introduction of alien species. Read a book, will you.