An amended motion regarding the Majjistral hunting times has been approved by Parliament.
A motion was originally put forward by PD MPs Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia slamming the introduction of a legal notice which extended hunting times in the Majjistral park, however the PN filed an amendment to the motion proposing more consultation with all stakeholders on hunting and trapping times at the park, which also removed the part of the motion that called for the times to be returned to what they originally were. The amendment passed in the morning, and a vote on the amended motion was taken in the evening Parliamentary session, seeing the PD MPs having to vote against given that the amended version changed their original motion.
Environment Minister Jose Herrera had, during the debate, indicated that government had no problem with the PN’s call for further consultation regarding hunting times at the Majjistral park, also stating that it seemed the Opposition wants the legal notice to remain in place.
The original PD motion was filed against Legal Notice 300/17 and was co-signed by Godfrey Farrugia and Marlene Farrugia. The Majjistral Park is a protected area of public interest where many visitors go to enjoy the beautiful, natural and quite setting, and to experience its ecological, socio-cultural and recreational values, the motion says.
In their motion, PD MPs Godfrey and Marlene Farrugia said that the legal notice breaches law. The Partit Demokratiku noted and deplored that the Ministry of Environment “has breached article 55(1) of the Environment Protection Act” when it issued Legal Notice 300/17, whereby the regulations pertaining to hunting and trapping hours in the Majjistral Park were extensively increased.
In their motion, the Farrugia’s noted the aims of the park: The conservation, management and monitoring of the biological diversity; The rehabilitation of the area; To take care of specific fauna and flora; to control all activity that can damage the ecology; To apply measures that enforce conservation of shores and coastline; To be of educational value; and to serve as a place for recreation.
Godfrey Farrugia during the debate, said that government launched this legal notice going against all advice given by the Park’s advisory board, which is mainly appointed by government, and the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA). He said government has a majority on the park’s advisory board. “Despite giving advice against this legal notice, government did not follow their advice. This is a government that truly listens.”
He said that more so, “we are in a situation where the PN opposition fails to distinguish between what is just and what isn’t.” He said the PN is not capable of taking a decision, and that they are trying to hide a lack of decision through an amendment that solves nothing, “and is a gimmick of confusion that asks for a consultation process, and this is the characteristic of the new leadership who want to appease god and the devil at the same time.”
Farrugia said that nowadays people need to leave Malta on holiday for direct contact with nature, indicating that the environment is not being given due consideration.
He asked MPs to consider what peace of mind families and schools will have when taking children into a zone where safety is not guaranteed due to lack of control will have. “Who will carry responsibility? Are we going to take the attitude that if an incident occurs then we will see what to do?”
“I urge you to speak in the names of all families not in the name of political interest.”
Environment Minister Jose Herrera
Environment Minister Jose Herrera, referring to the PNs proposal said that the amendment is one that is prudent, “that I as the minister responsible do not find difficulty with it being accepted, as the PN is saying that the law should remain, but government should tie itself to more consultation.”
He criticised the Opposition whip for not being able to keep the Opposition in line, given that there is a motion by the PD and an amendment by the PN. “This is a motion by an opposition within the opposition,” he said.
Referring to the legal notice, he said that it was done in a balanced manner. He stressed that not everything is cast in stone, and if after it results that there were some extreme negative side effects he would not hold back from taking the necessary measures.
He said that decisions must be taken on studies based on facts. He said that looking at the time extension, government was careful not to disturb nature or the people who want to visit the park. “For example, we did not extend it for Fridays or feasts so times can be kept for people to go to park tranquilly.”
He said that studies found that schools conduct trips to the park on Fridays. He also said that the time extension as well took into consideration bird patterns so as not to affect them when they are most vulnerable.
He said that these regulations were not done overnight, but were the fruit of internal and external discussions, including with NGOs.
He spoke of always trying to find a balance, and the need to make space for various opinions and ideas. “Nothing stops anyone in the future that if the worries of NGOs become fact than can move it to change.”
He mentioned that no complaints by representatives of teachers or parents associations have been received.
He mentioned that government prioritises protecting the environment, through historic laws, such as the public domain act, the establishment of ERA, etc.
The minister said that criticism regarding enforcement not being given the necessary strength, but announced that in the coming weeks there will be a new ERA directorate regarding enforcement, and mentioned a future proposal for an environmental court and the environment to be included in the constitution.
Marlene Farrugia
Farrugia slammed the Labour Party for pretending to have the interests of hunters and trappers at heart and for pretending to be the more balanced, less extreme party.
She also slammed the PN by reminding them that years ago, a PN government was contemplating placing a golf course at the Majjistral Park.
“Neither the hunters, nor trappers, not nature enjoyers would have been able to enjoy the park, or would have been highly regulated”.
She spoke of how because balance was reached, no golf course was placed there and hunting times were stipulated so that they could enjoy the country side, while the public could enjoy the same space in the remaining hours.
Farrugia stressed that balance had been found and that the government’s actions to slowly chip away at other public land has placed pressure on the Majjistral Park.
“Let us allow people some space to breathe and enjoy Malta’s natural qualities”.
Farrugia explained that she does not fine the PN’s solution to be acceptable where the legal notice will remain in force but a consultation process will be launched with all stakeholders.
She reminded the House that having served under Muscat’s government, and after being the chairperson for the Enviromental committee as a PL MP, “consultation with the government of Joseph Muscat is all fake, it does not exist”.
Parliamentary secretary for animal rights Clint Camilleri accused Marlene Farrugia of wanting to punish hunters and trappers unfairly. He repeated the rest of the PL MPs claims by saying that the PD is confused and incapable of taking decisions.