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Matthew Vella
The European Commission has expressed “serious concern” at reports indicating that breaches of Maltese laws transposing the Birds Directive may not be adequately pursued to ensure compliance with the directive.
Following on the heels of a police memo issued three weeks ago ordering police not to arraign individuals caught trapping quails, golden plovers, turtle doves and thrushes, or hunting at sea with engines capable of speeds higher than 18 km/hour, the Commission is saying it is “closely following the situation in Malta” on the systematic enforcement of hunting laws.
“Adoption of legislation controlling hunting is only a first step; for the legislation to be complied with there must be effective enforcement in practice. The Commission is closely following the situation in Malta and will not hesitate to take all measures available to it in order to ensure effective compliance with the Birds Directive in Malta.”
The police memo was issued the same day a group of hunters gathered outside the Prime Minister’s office at Castille to protest against “restrictions” imposed on them by the government.
The memo prompted the resignation of respected ornithologist Joe Sultana from the Ornis Committee, who has vowed never to sit again on the beleaguered committee.
Close friends of the internationally recognised ornithologist said Sultana was displeased at the lack of political resolve to enforce the new laws.
Although Sultana’s departure as advisor to the Ornis Committee was expected to trigger the European Commission to take a tougher stance with the local authorities, Brussels was never informed of his departure.
“That’s information we didn’t have,” Nicholas Hanley, head communications at the Environment DG in Brussels, said.
mvella@mediatoday.com.mt
Links:
www.maltatoday.com.mt/2006/10/15/t6.html
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