EC calls on Malta to “discontinue its practice to authorise finch trapping”

Update with Ministry for Gozo, PN and BirdLife reaction below: The European Commission is calling on Malta to “correctly apply the Birds Directive (Directive 2009/147/EC), and discontinue its practice to authorise finch trapping.”

The EC said that Malta has recently authorised finch trapping for “research purposes, having previously authorised finch trapping for recreational purposes for several years, an action which was found to be non-compliant with the Birds Directive by the Court of Justice.”

The Commission, on Wednesday, explained that “the Birds Directive requires a general system of protection for wild birds and allows derogations on hunting and trapping only subject to strict conditions.”

These are key requirements to protect biodiversity across the EU. The European Green Deal and the EU Biodiversity Strategy for 2030 both indicate that it is crucial for the EU to halt its biodiversity loss by preserving our natural sites and restoring damaged ecosystems to good ecological status, it said.

In particular, the Commission said that it considered that the new derogation scheme adopted in October 2020 authorising the trapping of finches for “research purposes circumvents the judgement of the Court of Justice, by permitting trapping of finches in similar conditions as before this ruling, even if under a different regime.”

Following the unsatisfactory reply from the Maltese authorities to the letter of formal notice, the Commission said that it has decided to send a reasoned opinion to Malta.

Malta now has one month to remedy the situation, otherwise, the Commission may decide to refer the case to the Court of Justice.

The Commission concluded by saying that, “a shortened deadline aims to prevent serious and irreversible damage to the environment, in case the Republic of Malta intends to open yet another trapping season.”

Government statement

In a statement issued by the Ministry for Gozo, it said that the government received a reasoned opinion from the European Commission on a derogation which was applied last autumn on research for the seven species of songbirds.

“The government will be analysing this opinion and will subsequently provide its technical and legal response,” the statement read.

It concluded by saying that, “the government remains committed, as it has done year after year, to protect the rights of hunters and trappers with full respect for the law.”

PN statement

The Nationalist Party in its reaction said that, “we need more wisdom and technical expertise in the possibilities of implementing the European directive for trapping.”

It noted with regret that the hobby of trapping is back in court “due to a lack of prudence on the part of the Government to implement these laws.”

The PN said that it believes that this hobby should be practised without the need for continuous confrontation and expressed solidarity with the trappers who want to practice in a framework of long-term sustainability. “This while we will work to explore all the possibilities offered by the European Directive as it does in other countries.”

It stressed that “hobbies can be practised within the framework of clear and well-implemented laws because continuous confrontation benefits only those who break the law, while those who practice this hobby and want to enjoy the environment suffer.”

The Nationalist Party said that it “supports amateur initiatives for the intent to raise awareness of migratory birds in Malta and agrees in principle with trapping for scientific purposes and with a sustainable hobby according to the rules.”

“A Nationalist Party in Government commits itself, with the help of technical experts, to the possibilities for sustainable trapping in line with the European Directive, by ensuring that there is a serious and correct implementation which puts an end once and for all to the proceedings of the European Commission v. Malta,” it said.

BirdLife statement

BirdLife Malta has welcomed today’s news that the European Commission h once again stepped in to protect birds in our country.

“This has happened as a result of the farcical finch trapping derogation applied by the Gozo Ministry under the pretence of a scientific study, BirdLife said.

According to BirdLife Malta, an ORNIS Committee meeting planned for today was set to discuss the next finch trapping season – an item that was placed on the agenda by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU). The meeting was, however, cancelled yesterday.

BirdLife Malta stated that “once again it has been proven to be on the right side of bird protection. This communication is also a stern warning to the Malte Government that the European Union will not tolerate anymore the abuse of the European Birds Directive.”

In a reaction, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana stated: “The Government has a decision to take. The right decision would be to stop the finch trapping practice once and for all. If this doesn’t happen, Prime Minister Robert Abela will be leading Malta back to the European court to defend the indefensible and apart from further discrediting our international reputation on environmental matters, it will be a case of wasting taxpayers’ money for a handful of votes at a time when the Government should be investing in transforming Malta into a green economy.”

He concluded by urging the Prime Minister “to be courageous enough to see the writing on the wall, and act accordingly.”

File photo BLM