Alternattiva Demokratika and Partit Demokratiku, have said that “the government’s intention to explore avenues to bypass EU finch trapping rules by expending valuable state resources is proof that narrow interest groups are still being given priority over the common good.”

AD and PD were referring to the news yesterday that the Minister for Gozo has written to the Ornis Committee to look at the possibility of an application for a derogation for “trapping of songbirds for research purposes.”

In a statement AD and PD argued that “this has become a trend” – “The government colludes with interest groups behind the people’s backs to find loopholes to circumvent the spirit of the law.”

They went on to accuse the government of having “no shame in showing its enthusiasm in securing and retaining favour of selfish lobbies who are succeeding in holding it to ransom.”

“This government has trampled selfishly over innumerable environmental policies across the board and this latest initiative is another ticked box to make a mockery of the people and the environment,” AD and PD said.

“We are jointly holding the government to account on this issue whilst sending a warning to cease and desist in being a willing accomplice to the destruction of our islands’ fauna,” they said.

Alternattiva Demokratika and Partit Demokratiku concluded by reminding the government that “the state’s resources are to be used judiciously, including the protection, conservation and enhancing of our natural habitat.”

File photo

Permalink: AD and PD: “Narrow interest groups given priority over the common good”