Hunters’ group accuses BirdLife of 'extremism'

Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) has called out BirdLife Malta and its supporters on its for their “extremist plea to stop or suspend a hunting season”.

BirdLife Malta has made repeated calls to suspend the hunting season, after a number of protected birds were shot, including honey buzzards and black storks, finding support from the Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and UN Patron of the Oceans Lewis Pugh.

KSU argued that the ongoing Council of Europe initiative, the Birds Directive, on the illegal killing of birds, whereby the BirdLife partnership quantified the extent of illegalities per country, proved Malta’s government is doing “far more to stop illegalities than elsewhere, and renders Birdlife Malta’s claims insignificant in comparison to other Nations.”

KSU reiterated its earlier claims that BirdLife Malta is being “extreme” in its reactions.

“Nowhere was there ever an extremist plea to stop or suspend a hunting season or an incessant orchestrated anti-hunting crusade as witnessed in Malta due to BirdLife Malta’s extremism.”

In the latest incident of illegal hunting, where BirdLife Malta rescued on Sunday a protected bird, a Grey Heron, found bleeding and unable to fly in a farmhouse in Żejtun after having been shot in the proximity, CEO Mark Sultana repeated the NGO’s call for a suspension of the autumn hunting season.

“It is unacceptable and a disgrace that not only are these illegalities happening, but that the Government has a nonchalant attitude towards what is happening. We have been asking for a suspension of the hunting season for weeks with the government passing the buck and not being able to do what is right.

“This is the twentieth protected bird shot following the shooting of Black Storks, Honey Buzzards, Night Herons and Bee-eaters,” he said.

KSU showed outrage, arguing that legislation and enforcement have rendered results.

“It is inconceivable, when proper harsh legislation and thorough enforcement have shown remarkable results, that a sector of society and their obliging partners call for undemocratic and illegal means to solve the remaining small problem,” KSU said in a statement.

The KSU was also displeased with comments by Lewis Pugh, an ocean advocate and a maritime lawyer appointed by the United Nations Environment Programme as “Patron of the Oceans", who criticised the rise in illegal hunting in Malta in a letter to the Prime Minister.

“It is nothing short of shameful for UN patron Lewis Pugh to throw scorn on Malta, knowing he failed to use his influence to stop unabated massacres of unimaginable scale in other UN member states such as Egypt, Lebanon and elsewhere,” KSU said.

The organisation added that hunters in Malta face discrimination in comparison to those in other countries, and lamented on the effect this has on Malta’s reputation.

“It is a perfect case of only in Malta where anyone opposing hunting teams up and arrogantly believes they can dictate remedies for a worldwide problem to be implemented only in Malta. The harm done to Malta’s reputation and its main economic sectors by these abolitionist and extremist ideals is immeasurable when compared to the few remaining hunting illegalities.”

The government has said that it will not take any action, with a spokesperson for the Office of the Prime Minister reiterating that it is up to the Ornis Committee to recommend a suspension of the autumn hunting season, if it feels the need.

KSU condemned what they called “extremism by BirdLife Malta and that of its puppets”, while lauding the enforcement authorities.

"Enforcement authorities have been internationally recognised as the example others should follow, and we congratulate the absolute majority of hunters for their exemplary behaviour and co-operation in weeding out law breakers,” it said.