BirdLife Malta is urging Prime Minister Robert Abela to “change tack on a proposed change to the law that could jeopardise scientific bird studies.”

The eNGO said in a statement on Wednesday, that it “sincerely believe that the Prime Minister is being misled and misinformed on the scientific study of bird ringing.”

According to BirdLife Malta, the change – which is being placed by FKNK on the agenda of an ORNIS Committee meeting planned for later on today – suggests that there should be other bird ringing schemes in Malta that are not affiliated to the reputable European EURING scheme, and to which the BirdLife Malta Ringing Scheme (set up in the mid-1960s) is affiliated.EURING is a European-wide network that recognises highly scientific bird ringing schemes to make sure that scientific bird studies, especially those related to bird migration, are well networked and of a high level.

In Malta the law stipulates that licensed ringing schemes can only be those affiliated to EURING.

“The Prime Minister should appreciate that by creating other schemes, science will not benefit but this will create possible abuse to birds themselves, especially by third parties who have every intention to promote fake science. Following previous changes to the law, hunters and trappers can become also licensed bird ringers after they go through the necessary training,” said BirdLife.

BirdLife Malta concluded that it is therefore urging Prime Minister Abela “to suspend such amendments to the law until there is a thorough discussion with all stakeholders involved to avoid putting Malta into yet another embarrassing situation with the European Commission in regard to transparency.”

Photos and video by BirdLife Malta

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