The Prime Minister’s ‘final chance’ warning to hunters was not final at all, it seems. Dr Muscat confirmed today that the spring hunting season could open again next year if the Ornis Committee recommends it.
Speaking shortly after the referendum result was announced, Dr Muscat said hunters had been given a final chance. Many understood this to mean that if hunters messed up this time round, spring hunting would be banned permanently. They misunderstood.
In comments to TVM from Baku, Azerbaijan, Dr Muscat said the normal process will be followed in future. “There will be a recommendation from the Ornis Committee, which has, up till now always ecommended a spring hunting season. If that happens the spring hunting season will open just like the upcoming autumn season will.
I warned that flagrant abuse would not be tolerated. I looked into every reported incident and I didn’t take any decisions at first because I saw that the cases were either genuine or there was full cooperation to bring those responsible to justice.
The latest, condemnable incident departed from all of this. I know there is a whole controversy and many hunters do not agree with me that the good should also pay for the actions of the bad but this is a way of being accountable. There were some who took it against me for closing the autumn hunting season and the same will happen this time round, but I am not here to be popular. I am here to take decisions. I think that the decision that I took was a demonstration of seriousness - it goes to show that things have changed. This was also a lesson for the future.”