The hunting federation has demanded a tenfold increase in the annual number of birds that can be shot and its president Joe Perici Calascione told a news conference on Monday his organisation was asking the authorities to revise the hunting laws. Should we be surprised? Not at all.
With the general election approaching, should we be further surprised if the two main parties lend them an ear as they pile on the pressure for concessions? Certainly not.
The hunters’ federation has subjected the country to this charade for years, and many have had enough of it.
The sad reality is that hunters know that the political parties or even certain election candidates are bound to make outlandish promises in their quest to win the lobby’s votes.
The problem with the federation is that it still fails to acknowledge that Malta joined the EU eight long years ago, and being members of a club, you have to adhere to its rules. This Government has clearly sought to push the boundaries, and when it did so with the spring hunting issue it landed itself in hot water and was marched to the European court.
The European Commission made it clear it expects Malta to abide by the provisions of the Birds Directive, a decision endorsed by a European Court of Justice ruling against Malta in 2009.
Unfortunately, that same court decision left a door ajar to interpretation (based on debatable figures of catches) and the hunters lost no time in arguing they could still hunt in spring.
The fact that one of the Labour Party’s officials on a technical consultative committee to discuss hunting with the FKNK is MP Michael Falzon, an avid hunter himself, should be cause for concern. The public has a right to know what the Labour Party, today in Opposition, is promising hunters should it be in Government tomorrow. Could it realistically deliver on any promises it might give them?
Though the extent of hunting offences might sometimes be blown out of proportion by sensational reporting, there is no doubt that certain hunters cannot be trusted, even if the FKNK is probably genuine in trying to stamp out illegal hunting. Protected birds of prey are still indiscriminately killed.
Mr Perici Calascione said his organisation was also after other changes, including time limitations related to hunting in autumn and allowing trapping in both spring and autumn.
“Despite the criticism against us, we will never give up on what is ours by right,” he said.
That is the problem. Politicians have led hunters to believe it is their right to make such demands, instead of insisting with the lobby to stick to what is legally and morally acceptable.
Hunters should also acknowledge once and for all that no amount of arm twisting and vote threats could force any government to tailor the EU’s Birds Directive to their needs – unless we are to be marched once again to the European Court.
Likewise, politicians would do well to realise that the vast majority of Maltese citizens have had enough of hunters’ antics and that any vain promises to them will backfire in the long-term.
The segment of people who truly embrace natural environment has grown, while the number of those who are prepared to castigate parties that make ludicrous promises to win votes is even larger.