In reaction to the EP vote on the issue of spring hunting and trapping, BirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge said that the whole spring hunting controversy revolved “around a smoke screen that the government has built and hid behind”.

The Maltese government never negotiated a derogation on spring hunting, he said, adding that this may mean that Malta may be taken to the EU Court of Justice much sooner than the Maltese government calculated.

Furthermore, said Mr Temuge, during the voting, attempts to reinforce the smoke screen built around Malta’s EU membership negotiations were shot down by the European Parliament.

“It was clearly exposed that the Maltese government had not negotiated any agreement on spring hunting during accession talks,” he said.

Mr Temuge said the Maltese government now has an opportunity to correct the misdoings of the past.

“The upcoming visit by the European delegation is the chance offered to the Maltese government to help Malta save face and comply with EU law. It is also an opportunity for the government to regain the confidence of the Maltese public.”

The attempt by the government to defy EU law for a fourth consecutive year was utterly irresponsible, said Mr Temuge, adding that now is the time for the government to take the opportunity offered and comply with EU law or the Maltese public will have to bear the brunt of the government’s misconduct.

“The Maltese government has a mandate to bring Malta’s environment legislation in line with EU law. There is simply no other way forward,” Mr Temuge concluded.