The hunters’ federation believes that reports that the European Commission was mulling further action against Malta in view of the proposed season for next spring constituted “more scaremongering tactics aimed towards the Maltese people and government”.
FKNK secretary Lino Farrugia told timesofmalta.com the Commission could not take Malta to Court on a similar case, as the one which verdict was pronounced last September.
Mr Farrugia said the federation was already aware of the Commission’s position, having been briefed with the outcome of meetings MEPs John Attard Montalto and Veronique Mathieu, as well as FACE officials had recently with Commission officials and with the EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.
The Commission, he said, was not concerned with the length of the season, or the number of hunters that would be allowed to hunt.
Legal action by the Commission, Mr Farrugia said, did not necessarily mean a full-blown court case.
“We know that the Commission cannot take Malta to court on a similar Case, as the one which verdict was pronounced last September.
“We also believe that the Commission is wise enough, and will be more than cautious before venturing on another court case against Malta on the same subject of spring-hunting.”
Mr Farrugia said the FKNK believed that this news, from wherever quarter it was being emitted, constituted more scaremongering tactics aimed towards the Maltese people and government.
“The Commission is only concerned with the number of any harvested species, and seems to believe that the figure of 25,000 birds as proposed by government may be too high.
“However, we are also sure that the Commission will not just rely on whatever anyone may say, and will finally only rely on solid scientific facts.”
The FKNK, Mr Farrugia said, believed that the 25,000 figure was way too low in the region of the one per cent mortality rate allowed to be harvested according to the guidance document to the Birds Directive, and it already published scientific reports to back-up its theory.
These reports had not been challenged.
Mr Farrugia said the FKNK believed the government would heed its advice and be well prepared, with solid scientific reports and studies, to again defend its stand against any questions that the Commission might come up with.