In reaction to an amendment made by the government to the spring hunting framework legislation (LN 221), BirdLife Malta has criticised the Office of the Prime Minister for further relaxing future spring hunting derogations.

This amendment was made last Friday following the Letter of Formal Notice issued by the European Commission last October. The Commission stated that it was concerned that the new framework legislation seeking to permit spring hunting in future years did not comply with the European Court of Justice ruling. It therefore decided, at the recommendation of Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik, to issue a Letter of Formal Notice under ongoing infringement proceedings.

The Commission also warned Malta that “if the necessary actions are not taken by the Maltese authorities, the Commission may decide to take Malta back to Court to request financial penalties.”

Despite this, the amendment made to the framework legislation not only failed to address the concerns raised by the Commission but also further relaxed future spring hunting derogations which the OPM seems to be committed to giving to the hunting lobby.

The amendment removes the previous limit of 2,500 hunting licenses, as demanded by the hunting lobby after last year’s spring hunting derogation. The time limit during which hunting may take place has been extended from midday to 3pm from Monday to Friday, thus increasing the daily hunting hours by three for each hunting day.

Furthermore the amendments do not specify the Conservation Status of Turtle Dove and Common Quail in Europe. This is despite the fact that both species are listed as suffering population declines in Europe, and that in its Sustainable Hunting Guide – the guidance document to the Birds Directive, the Commission specifically states that no derogations should be allowed for species of Conservation Concern in Europe.

“Prior to the elections the Prime Minister promised to prioritise nature protection. Yet the government instead favours an unlimited number of hunters, killing birds with declining European populations, prior to their breeding season thus preventing them from replenishing their population.” stated Nicholas Barbara, Conservation officer.

“It seems like the Prime Minister is ready to risk the country being taken back to the Court, this time facing hefty penalties due to another spring hunting derogation. This is all to appease an aggressive hunting lobby that already has 5 months of hunting season from September to the end of January” concluded Mr Barbara.

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