Sunday’s unauthorised violent protest by hunters and the government’s decision to reopen the trapping season “will not help” Malta’s Commissioner-designate Karmenu Vella ahead of Monday’s questioning at the European Parliament, sources in Brussels told Times of Malta.
However, according to senior EP officials, Mr Vella’s green light relied solely on his performance on the day as there was no intention to target the Maltese government’s nominee.
“Although there is discontent, particularly among environment lobby groups, about the Maltese commissioner’s portfolio, especially because of hunting, the fact he comes from the Socialist group is considered to be an advantage,” a senior official said.
If his performance is weak, trouble might start brewing
Both the European People’s Party and the Socialists – the two most powerful political groups in the EP – have an unofficial gentlemen’s agreement not to attack each other’s nominees.
However, according to another official, “if Mr Vella’s performance before the MEPs is weak and unconvincing, trouble might start brewing in the corridors over his approval”.
Mr Vella – the eldest member in Jean-Claude Juncker’s nominated College of Commissioners – has been earmarked as Commissioner for the Environment, Maritime Affairs and Fisheries. This is the biggest and most important portfolio given to a Maltese nominee.
However, many environmental lobby groups, considered to be among the most influential in Brussels, have raised their eyebrows for two reasons.
The first concern is that the environment has, until now, always been handled by a single commissioner. The fact it has been added to another portfolio – fisheries and maritime affairs – is something many consider to be a demotion for the environment.
The second issue directly concerns Mr Vella as many feel he lacks experience in the subject and is a member of a government that has clearly appeased Maltese hunters. Mr Vella also hails from a political district with a strong hunting lobby.
Mr Vella’s grilling will coincide with the Commission’s ongoing investigation into the government’s decision to reopen the trapping season this autumn after it was banned in 2008, something Brussels considers to be a possible infringement of EU rules.
Trapping in clap nets is outlawed in the EU and the Commission is studying Malta’s backtracking on this issue with a possibility of taking the country to court.
“One of the first decisions Mr Vella has to take if he becomes commissioner is to decide on the next stage of infringement against Malta on trapping.
“It will be interesting to know whether he will push this issue against his own government,” a Green lobbyist said. According to sources, Mr Vella is currently conducting various one-to-one meetings with MEPs, particularly from the Environment and Fisheries Committee who will quiz him on Monday. Incidentally, Mr Vella will be the first of the 27 nominees to be interviewed.
The EP has no power to block any of the individual commissioners but will have the final say in a vote on the entire Commission.
A bad report on a particular nominee might force the hands of the President-elect to either change the portfolio of a nominee or ask the member state to make a new nomination.
The source said Mr Vella was being assisted by an EP official close to the Socialist group and a team from Mr Juncker’s office.