Be the first to comment!KSU welcomes Ornis decision on derogation for spring hunting
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Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) has said in a statement that it welcome the Ornis Committee decision recommending derogation for spring hunting this season.
KSU noted the conservation status of the two huntable species, namely quail with a status of `Least Concern' and turtle dove, recently reclassified as `Vulnerable.'
KSU said that its recommendations to the Government, apart from a precautionary reduction in the daily hunting hours, included no change to the current quail hunting season and the introduction of wider scientific studies backed by a compensatory breeding programme for turtle dove, both funded by hunters.
"These recommendations reflected the fact that the hunting of quail is unaffected by the reclassification of turtle dove and though still considered as a huntable species and classified as `Vulnerable,' the lack of scientific data on turtle dove, notwithstanding the reclassification, is highlighted by the International Union of the Conservation of Nature (IUCN)," the KSU said.
KSU added that it also noted Birdlife Malta's vote at the ORNIS Committee in favour of special measures to further reduce the impact of spring hunting. "After their direct involvement to ban the practice Birdlife still fail to recognise that special measures, namely a short time frame, small quotas and strict supervision, are already in practice."
"These determine that, in comparison to 2 to 3 million turtle doves shot by other member states, Malta's derogation implements special measures "in line with the European Court of Justice (ECJ) ruling" that ensure a negligible impact in spring," the KSU said.
"Being aware of derogation parameters related to any reclassification in status," KSU called on the Government to "carefully assess" Malta's very "specific circumstances" referred to by the ECJ when endorsing Malta's right to derogate.
KSU contended that any "unnecessary limitations" only impinge on the ECJ's judgement permitting a "satisfactory solution" for Maltese hunters in spring on two specific species.
