BirdLife Malta today launched its campaign calling on the public to voice their opposition to the concessions given to the hunting lobby by political parties before every election.

BLM said that the campaign empowers voters to finally put an end to the illegal occupation of the countryside, widespread illegal hunting and public health and safety risks caused by uncontrolled hunting.

At a press conference in Valletta, BirdLife Malta revealed its first banner in a series that will be released in the lead up to the elections. The campaign’s central theme revolves around the slogan “Times change, some things don’t…” referring to the privileges given to the hunting lobby over past decades. Since the pressure to grant concessions increases at election time, the campaign calls on the public to use the strength of the majority to put an end to the hijacking of political parties.

Joseph Mangion, President of BirdLife Malta, listed a number of undue concessions given to the hunting lobby including: turning Mizieb woodland into a hunting zone in 1986; the courting of hunters’ votes by former PL leader Alfred Sant in 1996 “when he signed a position document that favoured hunting; former PN Prime Minister Eddie Fenech Adami’s famous letter to hunters in 2003 concerning the impact of joining the EU on hunting and trapping,” he said

“In the build-up to this election the government met with hunters’ representatives days before announcing an autumn trapping derogation despite EU warnings,” BLM said.

Mr Mangion said, “These and many other concessions have turned Malta into a ‘hunters’ paradise’ where access to public land has become increasingly restricted.”

BirdLife highlighted the situation at Majjistral Nature and History Park where school visits and walks involving children have had to be cancelled because of the amount of shooting and the risk it poses.

Mr Mangion said, “What sort of country do we live in that allows just a few thousand hunters to endanger the future of protected species and make most of the countryside feel like a no go area for large parts of the year. It is time for this to stop.”

BirdLife Malta said it offered a more positive vision for the countryside and called for stronger politicians who declare more protected areas for the enjoyment of everyone.

“This would free huge areas of the countryside from the control of the hunters, allowing safe access for public and tourists while making these natural areas sanctuaries for birds and wildlife. It really is the least voters should expect,” Steve Micklewright Executive Director of BirdLife Malta said.

BirdLife Malta also drew attention to the fact that hunting is allowed as close as 200 meters from residential areas including parks and schools, for public health and well-being voters should demand better protection by increasing these buffer zones to at least 500 meters.

The BLM campaign also asks voters to “demand better enforcement in the countryside to clamp down on illegal hunting and an end to infringements from EU laws such as hunting in spring.”

As part of the campaign BirdLife Malta said it will be sending a questionnaire to candidates from all parties asking for their positions on these issues and others related to wildlife conservation. The responses will be made public on the BirdLife website.

“The campaign is also providing talking points for voters to use on the organisation’s website, www.birdlifemalta.org.”

In closing the press conference, Mr Mangion said, “Elections provide a chance for voters to influence politicians for the better. We hope voters will use their voice and that politicians will listen.”

Permalink: “Times change, some things don’t…” Birdlife Malta campaign