Government mulls ‘limited’ trapping
Birdlife insists trapping should be outlawed
The government is considering a “limited” trapping season this autumn but no decision has been taken yet as such a move might be too much for the EU.
Malta is already facing infringement procedures for allowing trapping in autumn in previous years and has been warned twice over the issue.
The last time was in the form of a “reasoned opinion” – the second stage of the EU’s three-pronged legal procedure – issued in February.
According to the European Commission, Malta has not managed to justify its decision to allow trapping in the autumn with the scientific proof required by the Birds Directive.
Sources close to the Commission yesterday told The Times that “another unjustified derogation this year might push the EU executive to close the file and send it to the Luxembourg judges (the European Court of Justice) for consideration.”
Last year the season was scaled down to just one species – the song thrush.
However, the hunters’ lobby is once again pushing the government to allow a full-blown trapping season, asking to be permitted to trap 17 different species of birds through four different derogations.
The government will be feeling under even more pressure than usual considering this will be the last autumn season before the country goes to the polls.
On the other hand, Birdlife has continued to insist that trapping should be completely outlawed.
On Tuesday the government announced the dates for the coming five-month long hunting season, starting on Saturday, but avoided making any commitment on trapping.
The Ornis Committee has recommended the application of a limited derogation for the trapping of golden plover and song thrush but the government said it has requested “additional information” before making its assessment.
This position is the same as last year’s. However, in 2011, following further discussions, the government had made a concession to trappers, allowing them to trap the song thrush during the autumn.
A source within the Commission told The Times yesterday that the matter this year has become more complicated by the EU Executive’s decision last February to take its legal action up a notch, as a result of which the reasoned opinion was issued.
In the tradition of the hunting and trapping controversy that has raged for years, diametrically opposed views were expressed on the subject yesterday.
Lino Farrugia, the general secretary of the major hunting lobby, FKNK, urged the government should accede to the organisation’s proposals.
“We have shown the government how to correctly apply the derogations and there should be no problem with the EU,” he argued.
Accusing the government of failing to implement past promises, Mr Farrugia said the government should stop “torturing” hunters and trappers.
On the other hand, Birdlife president Joe Mangion said the authorities cannot “try to please everyone all the time.”
He said that Birdlife considered trapping illegal, in line with EU rules.
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24 Comments
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Mr Joseph Scicluna
Aug 30th 2012, 21:09
Hunters and trappers alike want nothing more than what was promised to them prior to the eu referendum...
Ivan Falzon
Aug 30th 2012, 16:18
of course the government is mulling. there s an election coming up
E. Azzopardi
Aug 30th 2012, 14:29
I was under the impression that trapping had to stop way back in 2008. Why is the "mulling" now?
Do you know why, because I don't?????
John Vella
Aug 30th 2012, 13:52
"It’s trapping time. Not birds, but votes"........ Good one Franco, Could not have been said better!
Darby Allen
Aug 30th 2012, 13:20
I am at a loss to understand why the trappers and "hunters" have so much power here; it seems that the government, police, and council officials fall over backwards to accommodate their questionable activities!
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Aug 30th 2012, 14:27
If you haven't realized it is not hunters and trappers that are powerful it is Government that is weak when derogating for what all other EU governments do without hesitation. it has so far applied 12 derogations` for hunting and trapping all of which were done incorrectly.
Just for your information the UK applies over 1000 such derogations annually. In so doing does the UK government bend over backwards due to the power of UK hunters?
S. Azzopardi
Aug 30th 2012, 12:09
I ask myself if we are fined by the EU who will fork out the money to pay it. Will it be the hunters?
Mr Victor Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 12:01
Trapping takes place anyway, irrespective if it's illegal or not. The police do nothing about it: I see trappers busy at work when I go out walking in the countryside, particularly in Gozo. So the only thing that will change is that a piece of paper says that trapping is permitted. In reality, trapping takes place and the government simply creates charades for the sake of the EU.
MARK MIFSUD BONNICI
Aug 30th 2012, 14:12
You seem to see many things going on in Gozo and yet never report any. I wonder why?
Patrick Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 18:34
So true Victor, the ta-Sanap cliffs all the way down to ta-Cenc is full of bird trappers.
Patrick Zammit
Aug 30th 2012, 11:33
Bird trapping, unlike hunting, is banned by EU law and is only allowed in exceptional circumstances like when it is done for data gathering, ringing , injecting new blood in a bird breeding scenario etc.
What leads a Prime Minister of a supposedly 21st century EU state to even contemplate this or condone other illegalities like allowing persons to illegally build summer residences on land they stole from the public.
Is seems that only such things as divorce or the freezing of a fertilized egg is taboo for him.
c scudi
Aug 30th 2012, 11:24
All hunting/trapping must be banned.what is this obsession with catching birds and than condeming them to a small prison cage!!It is unbelaivable to think that these beautyfull creatures should be incarcerated for life..The whole practice is barbaric...
D Borg
Aug 30th 2012, 11:16
Gonzi, PN, and/or FKNK commit yourself to be specifically responsible (read - cough the cash up)
yeah, national interest my foot!
Joe Scerri
Aug 30th 2012, 11:15
Votes, votes and even more votes.
anthony sultana
Aug 30th 2012, 11:08
Together every thing is posible,we don"t know where we are under this government,only one thing we know , the election is around the corner.[diging for the votes]
mark johnson
Aug 30th 2012, 11:05
Please excuse my ignorance but what do they do with the birds when they have trapped them?
I assume they keep them for pets, is that right?
C Cassar
Aug 30th 2012, 10:58
The EU has banned trapping in Malta, so now it should also ban 'hunting' which would be a natural progression towards a civilised soceity in the 21st century on a tiny island where these persuits are clearly unsustainable unlike in countries with far larger land masses. It's coming but it's coming slowly.
joseph lia
Aug 30th 2012, 12:23
Dream on
Stefan Micallef
Aug 30th 2012, 13:46
Dream world much?Hunting was to be banned in 5 years time some 6 years ago right?
Carmelo Aquilina
Aug 30th 2012, 10:28
Will Lino Farrugia and the FKNK promise to pay the EU fine if their advice is wrong... ?
joe vella
Aug 30th 2012, 10:51
the government feels under more pressure with the polls coming up?
Oh does really does look like a government by the people, for the people - ehmm sorry, those that make up the party!!!!
J Vella
Aug 30th 2012, 10:19
Quote 'This position is the same as last year’s. However, in 2011, following further discussions, the government had made a concession to trappers, allowing them to trap the song thrush during the autumn.'
Last year the season was annouced on the 1st of november, when practically the peak season for song thrush had already passed
Charles W. Sammut
Aug 30th 2012, 10:17
"The government is considering a “limited” trapping season this autumn but no decision has been taken yet as such a move might be too much for the EU."
So this puppet government is not concerned whether something is right or wrong, but whether the EU will countenance it or not.
c scudi
Aug 30th 2012, 11:26
such a move might be too much for the EU!!what absolute hogwash..never heard such a flimsy excuse butt han here the government is full of lame excuses..Can,t wait for the floods to arrive..than we,ll be told..it,s an act of God..
Please choose the reason of your report below: