I would like to make a clarification regarding the article which appeared on TMI 12 September 2009. The article quotes BirdLife Malta as saying that “Research reveals that the number of turtle doves killed during spring nears the 100,00 mark.”

This information was based upon a statement by Lino Farrugia, FKNK secretary, published on another publication on 25 November 2005. The article goes on to quote myself as saying that “Most EU countries permit hunting and trapping of birds when there are cases of health and safety concerns, for instance, when certain species are damaging crops and fields.”

This quote is based on a conversation where I stated that “Derogations on the Birds Directive can be applied in exceptional circumstances and subject to certain conditions, such as for example for reason of health and safety subject to certain conditions.” The health and safety was only an example of exceptional circumstances which could meet the criteria required to apply a derogation and not confirmation of derogations being applied on other countries. The article therefore incorrectly quotes: “Most EU countries permit hunting and trapping when there are cases of health and safety concerns”.

Geoffrey Saliba

BirdLife Malta