“Using schools to greenwash killing of birds is deplorable” – BirdLife

“It is indeed a shame and embarrassing that Minister for Education Clifton Grima is allowing the use of our schools with our children, to try and help in greenwashing the reality of hunting in Malta and what the world needs is a future that respects nature, not one that kills it,” BirdLife Malta has said.

BirdLife reiterated that, “using schools to greenwash the killing of birds is deplorable.”

BirdLife was again referring ^[1] to the Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) hunting exhibition being held in Malta and Gozo schools, which is being financed by the Gozo Ministry (responsible for hunting) and approved by the Education Ministry.

In a statement on Monday, BirdLife said that “in this day and age when the whole world, including Malta and Gozo, are trying to find ways to better protect and conserve nature, promoting the killing of birds is contrary to this effort.”

“Hunting is not beneficial to the common good of our country. It is simply performed for the enjoyment and benefit of those that kill the bird, BirdLife said. “There are no conservation efforts in Malta that need hunting.”

It went on to say that, “there is no need for one person to kill a bird in order to plant a tree or build a rubble wall. The act of hunting in Malta is immoral, irrespective whether you do it in the company of a dog, or while building a rubble wall or even planting trees.”

BirdLife insisted that “in a developed European country like ours, there is no need for, or any rational justification for hunting. These are only greenwashing tactics to lessen the image of the real consequence of hunting – birds shot dead.”

“We fully applaud the sentiments and concerns expressed by Commissioner for Children Antoinette Vassallo ^[2] on the fact that after all hunting is also done through firearms, and directly or indirectly, this can send the wrong message to children,” said BirdLife.

It acknowledged the fact that the Malta Union of Teachers (MUT) is “also against” such an exhibition. “It is encouraging as we are asking all educators to refrain from accepting this exhibition in their schools,” BirdLife added.

It added, “we hope that the education administrators within the Ministry and Department of Education understand our arguments along with those of all the people who have spoken out.”

It added, “we urge all educators across the nation to stand up against this exhibition and declare their position.”

BirdLife Malta concluded by urging the hunting lobbies “to put their efforts in educating and controlling their members, first and foremost.”

Photo: BirdLife Malta/David Tipling