BirdLife Malta has given its initial reaction to the news, following yesterday’s ORNIS Committee meeting, that the Government will be reopening a spring hunting season.

In a statement, it said that “the decision by Prime Minister Robert Abela to open a hunting season for one species, the Common Quail will allow hunters to shoot protected birds in spring.”

The PM has “once again proven that he is willing to defy the European Union (EU) in the mistaken belief that he will gain votes from his defiant decision,” said BirdLife

It went on to say that while Malta faces an Infringement Procedure on last year’s opening of the spring hunting season, the European Commission has warned the Maltese Government that the opening of the hunting season for Common Quail coincides with the spring migration of the endangered European Turtle-dove.

“Malta will have to again face the EU on this. BirdLife Malta will continue to keep the EU informed about what is happening in Malta and show that the opening of the spring hunting season is being carried out as an excuse for hunters to go out and shoot at anything that flies, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana stated.

Mark Sultana pointed out that the carnet de chasse – which is an obligation for every licensed hunter to report hunted species – is not being sent to the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WRBU).

The latest figures show that out of 10,675 licensed hunters in 2020 only 292 hunters, or 2.7%, participated in the carnet de chasse.

He concluded by saying that, “this is in full disregard of the law and shows to what extent Robert Abela continues to handle the protection of nature in Malta.”

Photo BLM: Hunter Spring by David Tipling NPL

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