timesofmalta.com

Referendum needed on hunting

Joseph Agius, St Julian’s — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:05:00 +0200

Hunting has become a national issue. There are simply too many vested interests. The non-hunter is suddenly realising that even s/he has a right to enjoy birds alive and has decided that things must change, that the selfish ‘thrill’ of shooting birds is unacceptable. Tourism is suffering heavily too. The impact of scathing criticism of the islands on the social media should not be underestimated. Times have changed. What happens in Malta does not stay within the confines of Maltese shores any longer. Hunters too have to understand this change. Articles by journalists in both the UK and Germany, in particular, are rampant on the matter. Righteously so, let us be honest. Both countries spend millions of euros each year on bird conservation, observation, counting, studying, monitoring and protecting bird life so that the species that has been so lovingly watched from the moment the egg is laid, hatched and then nestling could be enjoyed by all. This cannot just be thrown away capriciously at the whim of a Maltese hobby hunter. The damage is immeasurable. This is a blow below the belt for the hard-working hotel and catering industry struggling against toughest competition to attract...

Brussels is committed to relocation

Martin Bugelli, head, European Commission, Representation, Valletta — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:04:00 +0200

I refer to the article EU Move On Migrant Relocation Slammed (June 4). The European Commission is fully aware of the particular pressures facing Malta and that Malta has the highest numbers of asylum applicants per head of population within the EU. The only change to our earlier policy is that, rather than putting in place a legislative measure for a permanent voluntary relocation scheme, we will instead set up an annual relocation forum for EU member states to discuss relocation needs and capacities. The European Commission intends, as part of the Asylum and Migration Fund to start next year, to provide a €6,000 lump sum to governments that relocate beneficiaries of international protection as an incentive. Because relocation will remain a voluntary activity, there is no absolute requirement for a legislative scheme. Far from turning its back on Malta and on the policy of relocation, the European Commission is instead fully committed to this policy. Brussels has chosen a realistic way of ensuring that relocation from Malta can continue while avoiding putting forward a legislative proposal that would almost certainly never be voted for by the Council.

The killing of birds and bulls

Denis Mifsud, Sliema — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:03:00 +0200

In view of the alleged rampant shooting of birds, animal cruelty is widespread. I detest it. But I am sickened by letters sent in by tourists who declare they will spread the word around so that visitors will not to return to this fair isle because of the “cowboys” who roam the countryside. The vast majority of the Maltese are against this so-called sport but since every Administration has been reluctant to rein it in, even at the risk of having to pay the EU millions of euros in fines, things will never change. Several European countries indulge in cruel sports but one that comes readily to mind is, of course, Spain. We are in the same situation here. The Spaniards, in their majority, are very much against bull fighting but, because of their culture and tradition, this barbaric sport is reluctantly tolerated. But bull fighting is definitely not a show of equal strength. Had the bull not been weakened by drugs and no sharp instruments dug into its body then man and beast would be on equal footing. In bull fighting, the bull hardly ever stands a chance. Another sport that is equally cruel is the festes de buos (bull festivals). Here, a bull dashes around a bullring with fireworks...

British Services pension

Anthony Mifsud, Sliema — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:02:00 +0200

If I am not mistaken, British Services pensioners were to be given an added €200 in this year’s Budget to supplement increases that were given in previous Budgets in the last four years. It is now June and, having received the allotments notice for the next six months, I notice that this increase has not been added. We British Service pensioners have been suffering this injustice since 1979 and it seems that by the time that most of us are long gone this would not be settled. Knowing that the European Union has asked the Maltese authorities to solve this anomaly it seems that it has been put on the back-burner because no other statements have been made since.

Baggage claim payment settled

Stephen Gauci, head, corporate communications, Air Malta, Luqa — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:01:00 +0200

Air Malta refers to the letter, Baggage Claim Long Overdue, by Jill Pearce (June 12). We express our sincere regret for the inconvenience caused to the client. The airline’s CEO had received her letter and that same day he gave instructions to expedite this payment. We have been in touch with the client and expressed our sincere apologies. Her due compensation has now been effected.