When a transport minister almost lost his job because of a botched bus reform, the army was called in to straighten things out.

That was November 2011, when Arriva’s new aquamarine buses were running late, leaving passengers fuming.

A task force was set up to spearhead a reform of the reform and much to the surprise of many, the army was drafted in to provide logistical support to the police and transport officials.

It was an extreme measure that had many joking about the presence of soldiers hiding in the foliage of roundabouts as they observed traffic.

This country has a knack of bringing out the army when the going gets tough and the jokes resurfaced 17 months later when soldiers were called out of their barracks to protect birds.

A Government decision earlier this month to draft in soldiers to police the boundaries of nature reserves where it is illegal to hunt was interpreted by Birdlife, a bird conservation group, as an extreme measure.

Conservationists contended that the use of soldiers armed with assault rifles to enforce hunting laws was a sign that the spring hunting season had gotten well out of hand.

Roderick Galdes, parliamentary secretary responsible for regulating hunting, insisted otherwise. He said the use of soldiers was a sign of the Government’s commitment to ensure laws were observed. He even played down the extent of illegalities Birdlife was reporting.

However, it was evident from the start of the season that the police unit tasked with enforcing hunting laws was simply not big enough to cope with a hunting community that took advantage of a Government decision to remove the €50 special spring hunting fee.

With the monetary deterrent removed, there were almost 9,500 hunters who registered their interest with the planning authority to venture out into the countryside, nearly 3,000 more than last year.

But despite the increased numbers, hunters were only allowed to shoot 11,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quails – the same as last year – which equates to fewer than two birds each for the whole of the spring season.

Control was always going to be mission impossible, more so because the Government removed the requirement for licensed hunters to wear a yellow armband that police used as a means of identification from afar.

Birdlife believes the lack of adequate enforcement, even if the courts have come down hard on hunting illegalities, has allowed hunters to go on a rampage.

The group did produce evidence of injured protected birds, although hunters said Birdlife was exaggerating.

In new-found language, hunters even took up the words of a private tourist operator, who told Times of Malta last week it was the hype on hunting rather than hunting itself that harmed eco-tourism.

But strict law enforcement and proper reporting of shot birds are essential elements when the Government eventually goes through the required procedure of justifying its decision with Brussels to open the spring season.

Spring hunting is not allowed in the EU but member states can derogate from the rules and will have to justify the move with the European Commission.

The reasons allowed at law to breach the spring hunting ban are limited but, in a significant decision four years ago, the European Court of Justice opened a window of opportunity for Maltese hunters.

The ECJ had said that the autumn hunting season did not provide a satisfactory alternative for the hunting of turtle doves and quails, giving hunters the possibility of enjoying a limited and controlled season in spring.

As hunters enjoy their last hours of hunting today, it will be up to Brussels in the months ahead to determine whether Malta applied the spring derogation correctly.

Whether the Commission remains silent, which would be a good sign for hunters, or speaks up, a good sign for the anti-hunting lobby, is anybody’s guess.

As the hunting controversy subsides, the soldiers will return to their barracks unsure whether they will be called out again in autumn when birders and hunters engage in a fresh round of tit-for-tat.

Trapping to return in autumn

Bird trapping is set to return in autumn after the Government yesterday said it wanted to apply an exception to EU rules.

Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes said a derogation will be applied in line with policy guidelines published two years ago covering “traditionally trapped birds”.

Mr Galdes did not specify which birds trappers will be allowed to catch and whether the trapping of finches will be reintroduced.

The previous administration had opened a restricted season in autumn last year, granting a special licence to 1,100 trappers for the capture of song thrush and golden plover. But trappers want the trapping of finches to be reinstated.

“All derogations are the competence of national governments and carry obligations of certain conditions which the Government will publish in due course,” Mr Galdes said when asked about the conditions the Government will make.

ksansone@timesofmalta.com