Some people who run some of the voluntary organisations that go by the hip term of NGOs really can be such downers. I much prefer those characters and those organisations with an optimistic view of things, an honest desire to improve things and a genuine willingness to compromise on enduring issues within society.

When the attitude is blatantly condescending and chock-full of obvious spite there can only be one conclusion – fast-fading credibility. A case in point is the trumpeted claim by BirdLife Europe, no doubt abetted by BirdLife Malta, that the European Commission should still charge Malta in court for opening a spring hunting season this year – and this regardless of the government’s declaration of a moratorium.

This Angelo Caserta, who assumingly hails from a country where probably every village and town has a hunting community that individually guns down more turtle doves in a given season than the whole of Malta, comes here to pontificate to us about vulnerable species and to insist the European Commission takes action against Malta despite the current goodwill that is being shown by all those involved, from the hunters’ own federation and another hunting organisation (San Ubertu) to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and the European Commission itself .

Why this irksome downer of a guy should come over to somehow spoil the good feeling that has recently, and for the first time in many decades, been felt over the issue of hunting in general and spring hunting in particular, is beyond comprehension.

We were all pleasantly surprised by the hunting community’s formal request for a moratorium on spring hunting, a move that has undoubtedly taken all the solid ground away from under the anti-hunting lobby’s feet. It came soon after CABS, no moon-struck lovers of Maltese hunters, came out praising the improvement that has been achieved in the fight against the illegal shooting of protected species.

Many who, like me, are against hunting any time of the year know only too well the issue is not something one can bring to an end overnight. It is both an educational and cultural process that understandably needs time to impact, and however much we want this so-called traditional pastime to end, there is no ignoring those who, like everywhere else in the world, insist they have the right to practise it as long as they stick to the rules. The referendum result in favour of continued spring hunting confirmed once and for all how divided Maltese society is on the issue and how much more important it is for both sides to show some mutual respect.

During the referendum campaign I came out loudly against spring hunting even in media outlets perceived to have been pro-hunting, much to the chagrin of several of my friends who count themselves as being law-abiding hunters. Having in the past written the odd literary piece in the hunters’ own publication, they obviously expected me to be on their side! But rather than just condemning hunters and hunting, I have always insisted on the need to tackle the issue in a positive manner, more importantly seeking the new generation’s assistance in helping Malta to slowly but surely get rid of this unsavoury pursuit.

That the hunters themselves proposed a moratorium on spring hunting is a huge beginning in that direction. That the government has declared the moratorium as a precautionary measure, despite the fact there is no scientific proof that Malta’s very limited derogation has any impact on the turtle-dove population, is further confirmation that we are finally on course towards closure.

Should the European Commission be so stupid as to take heed of this Italian angel’s devilish attitude at a time when most of Malta and Gozo are breathing a huge sigh of relief, it would only be undermining the spirit of goodwill that now prevails.

 

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Pet hate update

Whatever those who are making thousands from them may say or do, it is indeed refreshing to watch the Planning Authority finally taking action to remove the many illegal billboards that have been visually polluting our roads and urban neighbourhoods. Some of them have also been infecting countryside views. In just three years, what major overhauls and infrastructural challenges were left undone in the past lest they cost a few votes here and some more votes there, have been or are being taken on, at last.

That in just one stretch of road the Authority has had to directly remove eight illegal billboards while 14 others have been removed by the offenders themselves no doubt shows the extent of the problem. The Authority’s determination to remove all the remaining illegal billboards and its appeal to the owners to comply with the requirements of the enforcement notices served to them is music to one’s ears.

My readers know this is a pet hate of mine, but I also know most people agree the whole billboard scene had become too oppressive and too unrestrained, giving the whole urban look a shabby and unbecoming appearance, what with the horrendous structures, repulsive colours and non-uniform dimensions.

Urban aesthetics are not being completely spoilt just by billboards, legal or not. The PA would do well to also remove the many poles, pylons and other rusting, leaning structures still displaying posters and designs of long completed public projects. While it is ok to make sure the authorities involved and the EU (when such funds are provided) get some due credit, it does not make sense to leave them for years after having more than served their purpose.

 

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A scream

Maltese idioms, expressions and proverbs can be a scream when translated literally into English. It has been an amusing habit of an old friend of mine in Australia and me to regularly exchange such linguistic concoctions, often to the delight of Anglo-Saxon ears nearby. We often did it in front of his Australian wife who, while enjoying the spectacle, still needed us to explain them all!

This came to mind last week when it was announced that the Maltese government rightly chose to oppose, rather than resort to the usual abstention, the use of glyphosate. In this way it was making sure that citizens’ health remains a priority. But have you heard even a whimper of approval from the usually vociferous do-gooders?

Had it chosen to take a different option on the issue, unfurl your hair and bring the oil. (Ħoll xagħrek u ġib iż-żejt – Aquilina’s interpretation: “a warning that there is going to be an outburst of fury”).