A spring hunting season with a maximum 30-day limit and the possibility to shoot 25,000 birds, as defined by last year’s legal notice, is unacceptable to hunters, who have called for its withdrawal.
The hunting federation’s call came as the European Commission continues to evaluate the legal notice after it opened infringement proceedings against Malta in October.
Senior Maltese government officials have resumed talks with Brussels on this year’s spring hunting season to determine its duration and the number of birds that can be shot. A decision by the government on whether and when spring hunting will be allowed is not expected any time soon.
Hunting federation secretary Lino Farrugia said his organisation was not involved in the talks between the government and the Commission. However, the federation is fearful that if the legal notice is given the green light by the European Court, the hands of subsequent administrations will be tied by regulations hunters oppose.
Last year, despite the legal notice, the government had opened a very limited spring hunting season of six half-days with a bag quota of 7,500 birds. The maximum number of hunters allowed to shoot was capped at 2,500. Hunters had slammed the decision and boycotted the hunting season. The government had argued the limited season was intended not to upset the applecart until it got the go-ahead from Brussels for a more extensive season.
The hunting federation wants a fixed 30-day season in spring with hunting allowed for the whole day. It is also calling for a higher quota for shot birds and the permission to trap turtle dove and quail. Under the proposals, all registered hunters will be allowed to hunt.
The federation said it would be drawing up a draft legal notice containing its proposals, which it would pass on to both the government and the opposition.
Environmentalists are sceptical of the government’s insistence to have talks with Brussels with bird conservation group BirdLife pointing out the Commission already made it clear the final decision on this year’s spring hunting season was in the government’s hands.
“Malta has already lost one spring hunting case and the Commission has renewed legal action on legislation permitting future seasons. Malta risks being again found guilty over an issue the majority oppose, only this time there could be hefty fines to pay,” BirdLife said.