Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella. Photo: Reuters

The European Commission has not taken issue with any hunting irregularities on the island other than the government’s decision to reopen the autumn trapping season, Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella told Times of Malta.

“There has been no correspondence on any other hunting irregularities with Malta other than that related to the trapping issue,” Mr Vella said.

He was reacting to news reports that the Commission was considering further action against Malta over allegations it was breaking European law.

Asked about the reports, Mr Vella gave them no credence, saying simply: “That’s what the papers said”.

Malta is facing legal action for reopening the autumn finch trapping season. The practice was outlawed in Malta in 2008 as part of the island’s EU accession requirements. It therefore came as no surprise when the government’s move to reopen the season had prompted the Commission to write to the government in October. Brussels had urged Malta to reverse its decision or face infringement proceedings.

The government, however, ignored Brussels’ pleas and will now have to make its case before the European Court of Justice in Strasbourg and, if found in breach of EU law, will face hefty fines.

Malta’s challenges are, in some ways, much bigger than those facing larger countries

Asked for an update on this, Mr Vella said he had received Malta’s legal reply and was examining it before deciding how to proceed.

Reiterating comments he had made to MEPs during his grilling earlier this year, Mr Vella said he would not let his ties to Malta factor into his decision on how to tackle Maltese infringements. “I am here to represent the European Union and not Malta. I can assure you that the legislative process that goes for other member states will be applied in the case of Malta,” he said.

Malta is facing action for five different environmental infringements, which Mr Vella believes is a relatively low number compared to other member states. In fact, Malta has the third fewest number of pending cases with the Commission with just 21 different infringements compared to Italy with 104.

“We underestimate the amount of environmental conscience we have in Malta.

“Malta’s challenges are, in some ways, much bigger than those facing larger countries. But, the number of infringements handed down to the island is much smaller,” he said.

Mr Vella said that although it was by far the smallest member state, Malta was considered an ‘urban area’ by the Commission, making it a hot bed for potential irregularities.

This, he said, had become apparent to him during his grilling by MEPs. He realised many misconceptions surrounded the amount of environmental illegalities committed on the island.

Mr Vella was reluctant to comment on hunting issues such as the proposed spring hunting referendum, saying the Commission had “no feelings” on the matter.

The government had written to Brussels earlier this year asking for an increase in the amount of tuna that can be fished in Maltese waters.

Mr Vella’s predecessor, Maria Damanaki, had last year said the quotas could be revised upwards following an increase in the tuna population.

The government had argued that the local tuna population had shown “remarkable recovery”.

Mr Vella, however, said the quotas were based on a mathematical mechanism that incorporated fish stocks and would not be overwritten.

“Every member state would like a larger quota but this is based on a scientific system, put in place to ensure the quotas are sustainable,” he said.