eNGO BirdLife on Thursday called for the ban of the upcoming spring hunting season, saying that the country’s reputation at EU level has hit rock bottom.

In a press conference held in front of Castille, BirdLife Malta President Darryl Grima, CEO Mark Sultana and Head of Conservation Nicholas Barbara said that Malta should not keep challenging the EU by continuing Turtle-dove hunting in spring.

The Malta Ornis Committee on Wednesday voted in favour of the proposal put forward by the Federation for Hunting and Conservation - Malta (FKNK) in order to recommend to the Minister to apply derogation from the EU Directive known as the "Birds", to permit turtle dove and quail hunting this spring, on the same parameters of the 2022 spring hunting season, the FKNK said.

BirdLife said that following ORNIS’ recommendations, the responsibility now falls on the Prime Minister and government.

Barbara said that ORNIS’ decision was made despite a lack of information of the case Malta is facing on spring hunting in the EU.

Malta is facing several infringement proceedings, including directives on the trapping of songbirds, golden clovers, the spring hunting of quails – which will once again be opened, and that of turtle doves.

He continued that the decision was also made with weak data, adding that no quota was made from the amount of turtle-doves captured by hunters, who, last year, only 4% of hunters declared the amount of birds caught.

Moreover, the ORNIS’ decision failed to mention the fact that the turtle-dove is a vulnerable species, despite the EU issuing valid warnings on the vulnerability of the bird.

Barbara said that there should be specific focus on Gozo, which he described as a ‘Mecca for hunters,’ as there is little to non-existent enforcement on illegal hunting.

He encouraged the public to report any suspicion of illegal hunting, and said that BirdLife will be monitoring hunting for illegalities once the legal notice for the opening of the spring hunting season is issued in the next weeks.

President Darryl Grima said that this is all happening whilst there is already a local court case against spring hunting opened by BirdLife.

 

He said that Malta will fall in a ‘trap of infringements,’ and government will end up having to pay fines solely to retain votes in cabinet.

Grima questioned why the civil authorities who are there to protect the laws of Malta are doing nothing in this regard, therefore proving themselves to be complicit with the government.

He accused Gozo’s Permanent Secretary as complicit, and said that even the Environment and Resource Authority (ERA) have abstained from voting on the FKNK’s proposal, knowing it goes against bird directives. Grima said that ERA must stand up and do its job, and not follow political directives.

Malta is also facing infringement proceedings on non-existent enforcement for hunting. Grima mentioned Police Commissioner Angelo Gafa, and said that Gafa has the obligation to ensure that the Environment Protection Unit (EPU) go to Gozo and enforce properly, adding that Gafa should not be afraid of Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri.

“The Prime Minister and Cabinet are not there to make laws for votes, they should be there for the interests of all Maltese people who want to see a better environment,” Grima said.

CEO Mark Sultana said that the country should make decisions based on science and not politics, and the political will just not justify the breach of EU directives, which are higher than the constitution.

Sultana’s suggestions to government were that the spring hunting season should not be opened, impose strict directives on the protection of turtle-doves and to protect all birds by creating a serious enforcement unit.

Sultana said that Malta will be suffering the consequences in the future, even when governments change.

“Malta has hit rock bottom with the EU. To open the spring hunting season is ridiculous,” he said, adding that the civil authorities should choose a side, between protecting birds, or remain complicit of the turtle-dove’s extinction.

BirdLife then presented a ‘gift’ to the Prime Minister (photo above), placing on the steps of Castille a statue of a dead turtledove with shotgun cartridges around it.

“Dear Prime Minister, this is what represents spring hunting. Do not open the spring hunting season,” the note read.