Currently over 6,000 licences to hunters have been illegally granted, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana said, adding that according to Maltese law only the environment minister can issue such licences.

Birdlife Malta has filed a criminal complaint with the police, stating that the hunting licences for the Spring Hunting season for quail were illegally issued by the Gozo Ministry, who currently holds responsibility for the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU). The NGO is asking that all these licences be withdrawn. They are also asking the police to take immediate action to ensure that all those who are out hunting with an invalid licence are taken to Court.

 

Earlier this year, Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri was given responsibility for the WBRU, regardless that he no longer holds the Animal Rights portfolio. "Under EU law, it is the environment ministry that has to regulate affairs relating to the hunting of birds, so it should be Minister Aaron Farrugia who issues these licences, "explained Sultana.

On Wednesday morning, Birdlife Malta President Darryl Grima and CEO Mark Sultana presented their complaint to a police representative, Brandon Pisani.

"All hunters currently, so around 6,000, are all hunting illegally, and it is the role of the Police Commissioner to safeguard the law, regardless of political interests. The Commissioner should take note of these hunters who are out illegally," explained Grima. "We cannot continue breaking environment laws, and allowing people to do as they please, all this has great repercussions."

Sultana commented that the Prime Minister Robert Abela is worse than Joseph Muscat when it comes to environmental issues. "We have gone back to the 1980's when it comes to these environment issues. Hunters are shooting at night, the situation in Gozo is worse as we have had reports that hunters are illegally shooting, yet no police claims are made on this," he said. He is disappointed that Prime Minister Abela has never explained why Minister Camilleri was given the WBRU responsibilities and that despite COVID-19, hunting season was still opened.

"The authorities constantly tell us to stay indoors, but then they allow 6,000 hunters to go out and carry out illegal activities. This angers people, as they have constantly reported to us about this. In the past days alone, thousands of turtle-doves were shot down illegally."

Government says claims are unfounded

Government later responded to BirdLife Malta's action, and said that it acted according to the procedures used throughout the years.

The government rebutted  that the request to take criminal action against the 6,000 people who were given licences is unfounded It also said that the complaint by BirdLife Malta is based on regulations that deal with a maximum fine of €10,000 or two-years imprisonment, as well as the permanent revocation of all licences or permits.

The government said that while the police must analyse the request, the government believes that this request is unfounded

Photos Alenka Falzon