The Majjistral Park Federation has slammed the government's decision to extend hunting and trapping concessions at a popular park as a backward moves against the environment and public interest.
The three NGOs - Din l-Art Ħelwa, the Gaia Foundation and Nature Trust Malta - with the support of Birdlife Malta said they were disheartened by the Environment Minister's latest move by prolonging hunting times at the park from 10am to 12.30pm and trapping times from 10am to 2.30pm.
The NGOs said they are also disappointed to hear that these amendments have come into force following back-room negotiations between the hunting federation, the Environment Minister and Parliamentary Secretary since 2013.
In a strongly-worded statement, they said the Majjistral Nature and History Park is mostly public land which does not belong to hunters and trappers, who are given the privilege to hunt and trap across most parts of the Maltese Islands.
The Majjistral Park is mostly public land which does not belong to hunters and trappers, who are given the privilege to hunt and trap across most parts of the Maltese Islands
This unilateral decision by the government and the hunting lobby goes against the spirit of sustainable use of a Natura 2000 site and of a nature park. Allowing hunting across the park during those hours excludes various other recreational and educational activities also reduces the tourism amenity of the area for a substantial part of the year during hunting and trapping seasons.
Furthermore, the decision rides roughshod over committed educational and visitor activities organised by the park management. Some 400 students are booked to visit the park between now and December and their safety remains a priority, they said.
Amendments to legal notices concerning the use of public land, need to undergo a public consultation exercise as per the Environment Protection Act – and good practice demands that such changes in legislation are carried out in full consultation with stakeholders. Such legislation can only be issued without consultation for urgent matters – hunting and trapping extensions do not constitute emergency situations.
The four NGOs further stated they could not understand the reason for additional appeasement to the hunting lobby by government at a time when increased illegal hunting incidents have characterised the current autumn hunting season.
"Conceding increases in hunting and trapping times for the benefit of a few hunters and trappers, to the detriment of the remaining public, shows that the ministry concedes favours rather than tries to find common ground in favour of sustainable use of land designated for nature protection."