In your report of Alternattiva Demokratika’s press conference (TMIS, 27 May), chairman Harry Vassallo and his environment spokesman Ralph Cassar stated, among other inaccuracies and fabrications, that the EU prohibits hunting in spring and that spring hunting breaches EU rules. Nothing can be further from the truth. This matter has been discussed and written about ad nauseam but since their vote grabbing exercise also entails the spreading of untruths, we feel we should speak out again for the benefit of the uninformed.

Council Directive 79/409/EEC better known as “The Birds Directive” allows derogations to all member States for several reasons. The time of year when such derogation can be applied varies according to particular circumstances of the member State. Can Alternattiva Demokratika deny the fact that the UK exercises its right for derogation under article 9 “to prevent serious damage to crops” and hunts “pest species” 365 days a year including spring?

In Malta’s circumstances, the government is applying this derogation for spring hunting for these specific valid reasons:

Article 9 states: “Member States may derogate from the provisions of Articles 5,6,7 and 8 where there is no other satisfactory solution.” Article 7 concerning “wise use” also states that “low level of takings are likely to have little effect on spring population size”. This derogation is also possible where only small numbers of the species are taken. This directive considers small numbers to be in the region of “1% of the total annual mortality of the population” of the species concerned. In our case, turtledove and quail. Malta’s average catch ever since records were taken is around .0028 per cent.

There is no denying that these reasons for a derogation are valid. Being the son of a hunter, Harry Vassallo would agree that from his personal observations while out hunting dove and quail with his father, autumn does not offer a satisfactory solution and that the number of dove and quail taken are indeed insignificant. If as stated, “his party has always been honest with them” (the hunters), he should be the first to admit that this reasoning is valid. However, admission would not suit his party’s stand.

Harry Vassallo also referred to FKNK’s threat to withdraw the clause on political neutrality from its statute and considers this as “trying to hold Malta hostage”. He mentioned the current confusion within the Nationalist Party regarding the opening of the spring 2008 hunting season. He also stated that the Labour Party was useless as it only spoke vaguely about the subject. Yet he proclaims his party’s honesty towards hunters because it has always opposed spring hunting. Unfortunately for his party this honesty hasn’t brought about the desired effect from the anti-hunters – votes.

Indeed as he stated, the hunting issue has been politically messed-up beyond belief yet, with all his honesty, fails to mention his party’s involvement in bringing about this situation. The conniving of his party makes him the main culprit in this affair. I quote from a document issued by the European Greens 6th Council meeting, Berlin 16-18 March 2007 entitled “‘Adopted Resolution on Spring Hunting in Malta’. The positive outcome of the resolution is the result of the constant and continuous hard work of Alternattiva Demokratika, the Green party of Malta which, ever since 1990 has been constantly working on this issue, in collaboration with the Green Group in the EP, with national Green Parties in Europe and various NGO’s in Europe and in Malta.”

In the current situation it is no wonder that hunting associations are considering allegiance with any political party that treats the matter in a decent, proper and consistent manner. If hunters’ votes will bring about the desired effect, so be it. Alternattiva might be missing their golden opportunity, unless of course, considering their anti hunting stand did not deliver votes, Harry decides to take up hunting.

Mark Mifsud Bonnici

Secretary

Saint Hubertus Hunters