The First Hall of the Maltese Courts has revoked a warrant of impediment filed by Birdlife Malta aimed at stopping the opening of a limited hunt for the turtle dove, the hunting federation said.
The courts had initially provisionally accepted a request for an injunction on the hunting season filed by BirdLife Malta.
The spring hunting season is slated to open on Sunday and close on 30 April. Hunters will be able to shoot at quail and turtle dove under a derogation applied by the Maltese government.
The FKNK said that, following the rejection of the court action by Birdlife, “the Maltese and Gozitan hunters will have the opportunity to practice this cultural and traditional hunting practice after 5 years of being impeded due to a moratorium.”
It expressed its satisfaction “for the fact that justice has prevailed both in terms of science and also in the interpretation of the law. Simultaneously, the FKNK thanks Minister Clint Camilleri for his work particularly in accepting the recommendation of the Ornis Committee to open this season.”
It said that, following Birdlife’s “threat”, it immediately intervened by filing a request in court to be accepted as an interested party to protect its members and make sure that they are heard. “By means of its lawyers, the FKNK also gave its considerable contribution in terms of technical and legal advice.”
The FKNK said it understands that the maximum quota allowed is extremely small, however it also understands that the opening of this season will allow the continuance of further studies on the migration of the turtle dove in a manner that could contribute to more correct data.
“This within the parameters of a process of conservation in which hunters can deliver an important contribution.”
The federation wished all licenced hunters a good season whilst stressing on the complete observance of the laws and regulations, including the reporting element.
The news was lauded by Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri, who is responsible for hunting. “That which is ours will remain ours,” Camilleri, himself a hunter, said. He thanked the State Advocate and the Wild Birds Regulation Unit “who worked day and night so that this injuction could be revoked.”
Birdlife Malta said it was “disappointed and also surprised that European law was not protected by the local Courts and that there are no means of having remedy to a breach of the European Directives – in this case the EU Birds Directive.”
BirdLife Malta President Darryl Grima and CEO Mark Sultana stated: “We remain certain that we have the correct arguments with regards to the illegal spring hunting of the Vulnerable Turtle-dove. The next legal actions and processes are in hand. In the meantime the European Commission now has more responsibility to act fast on this hunting season and we expect to see developments in this regard in the near future.”