Update from KSU below – MEPs from thirteen different countries and representing the seven largest political groups in the European Parliament are urging Malta to close the spring hunt on migratory birds.
The MEPs also petition increased efforts to stop illegal hunting and the prohibition of all kinds of bird traps, in a letter addressed to Prime Minister Muscat and Parliamentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries & Animal Rights, Roderick Galdes.
On Monday Dutch MEP Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals), who has been observing the first two days of this year’s spring hunting season in Malta, will hand over the letter to the Maltese authorities.
“This appeal to Malta to close the spring hunt represents a broad political spectrum. The hunting of migratory birds returning to their breeding grounds is cruel and causes a threat to bird populations as a whole. Spring hunting on migratory birds is therefore prohibited by international conservation agreements,” says Hazekamp.
The MEP added that, “sadly, while visiting Maltese hunting grounds over the past weekend, I witnessed several breaches of EU conservation laws. Electronic bird callers are widely used on hunting grounds, which is illegal under the EU Birds Directive. On Sunday a protected marsh harrier was shot.”
Anja Hazekamp concluded by saying that “as Malta is currently holding the EU Presidency, we count on the Maltese government to take the lead in improving the protection of nature areas in general, and (migratory) birds in particular. We call on the Maltese government to set an example by swiftly and properly implementing the Birds and Habitats Directives and to offer migrating birds a safe resting place during their trip to the North.”
The letter is shown below:
Update: Kaccaturi San Ubertu describes petition as “pathetic”
Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) said that the petition to stop spring hunting, originated by the Member of the European Parliament Anja Hazekamp (Party for the Animals) “was circulated to the 751 members of Parliament, of which only 29 showed support.”
KSU stated that spring hunting is allowed in line with the decision of the European Courts of Justice which permits derogation in the specific case of Malta. This is done by applying a derogation as permitted under European Directives.
“It is nothing short of shameful that well paid Parliamentarians put pressure on Malta’s acquired right,” KSU said.
KSU added that it also noted that the “derogation for the killing of far larger number of birds and the destruction of nests and bird’s eggs in spring are common to all the signatories of this pathetic petition.”
KSU said that it asked Anja Hazekamp for a meeting on the subject. “As was expected the offer remained unanswered since Hazekamp has no interest in establishing fact.”
KSU concluded by saying that it “considers such persons mar the integrity of the European Parliament. Certainly the aim of its members is not to waste precious time for the same Parliament or that of Malta’s Prime Minster.”