After the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament earlier this week that an agreement had been reached between Malta and the EU Commission on the opening of a spring hunting season relative to quail and turtle doves AD sought clarifications from the EU Commission as to what has actually transpired.

Carmel Cacopardo AD spokesman for sustainable development and local government said that he has been in contact with Joseph Hennon, spokesperson for EU Environment Commissioner Janez Potocnik.

Mr Cacopardo said, “Mr Hennon has stated that discussions held with the Maltese Government do not signify that an agreement has been reached between the EU Commission and the Republic of Malta. In fact Mr Hennon informed AD that “the fact that the Commission welcomes the above-mentioned legislative amendments does not mean that the Commission has come to any ‘agreement’ or that it has reached any ‘deal’ with the Maltese Government over the application of any particular spring hunting derogation in the future.”

“In addition Mr Hennon informed AD that “it is the responsibility of the Member States to take all the necessary measures to ensure compliance with EU legislation at all times and it is therefore primarily the responsibility of the Maltese Government to make sure that any particular spring hunting derogation will be applied in full compliance with the strict criteria laid down in the Birds Directive … The Commission will use all the necessary means available to it, including the possibility of taking further legal action if necessary, to make sure that any spring hunting derogation in Malta ensures full respect of the strict criteria laid down in the Directive and in the Court’s judgment.”

In view of the above AD said it is of the opinion that the Prime Minister’s statement in Parliament was misleading and only intended to appease the hunting lobby on electoral promises that cannot be achieved.

AD went on to say it is disappointed with the Commission’s welcoming of Government legislative action and is still of the opinion that spring hunting is incompatible with the Birds Directive. However it is clear that the Commission’s insistence on the need to observe the strict criteria laid down in the Directive [vide article 9.1.c thereof] is indicative of the fact that rather than agreeing with the Maltese Government the EU has adopted a wait and see attitude. It is awaiting the development of events before deciding on what further action to take.

Mr Cacopardo concluded by saying that the Prime Minister should accept this fact and declare once and for all that the PN has made electoral promises which it cannot achieve.

Permalink: No Agreement with EU Commission on Spring Hunting – AD