The hunters' federation said this evening that it was sure that the Prime Minister could see through BirdLife's latest tactics and would do what was best for the people, including the hunters and trappers and their families.

The FKNK was reacting to a statement where BirdLife International urged the European Union to take action against Malta if it decides to reintroduce spring hunting.

The federation said it was shameful that BirdLife was again saying untruths about Malta "without any heed to the serious damage such fallacies can do to Malta's main economic pillar of incoming tourism at this delicate point in time."

It noted that BirdLife Malta president Joe Mangion was urging the new EU Environment Commissioner "..to intervene and put an end to Malta's 'disregard' to EU laws before it has a domino effect and other member states start opening spring hunting seasons."

The federation said that nothing could be further from the truth.

In 2005 a total of 4,456 derogations were applied from the Birds Directive, with the United Kingdom leading with 1,882 Derogations. Fourteen derogations were applied among seven countries to permit hunting in spring, while in two other states the reports were not clear whether derogations were also applied to permit hunting in spring.

Furthermore in 18 states, derogations were granted for pest control also in spring.

In 2006, 3,445 derogations were applied.

The FKNK said that at the last Ornis Committee meeting it proposed, among other measures, that the Administrative Law Enforcement section be enlarged; that a Wildlife Crime Unit should be set up.

See BirdLife statement at:

http://www.timesofmalta.com/articles/view/20100309/local/birdlife-urges-european-commission-to-take-action-against-malta