Labour agrees with FKNK to allow trapping of songbirds

A Labour government commits itself to a review of hunting laws but warns that the EU negotiation package will not be reopened.

With just five days to go until Election Day, the Labour Party and hunters' federation FKNK this afternoon issued a joint statement listing the agreement reached between the two sides.

The statement is signed by Labour leader Joseph Muscat, FKNK President Joe Perici Calascione and secretary general Lino Farrugia.

For the past two years, the two sides have been holding "technical meetings" during which they agreed over the points a Labour government would work for if elected to power.

Muscat has however made it clear that the negotiated EU package cannot be reopened and the review carried out would be in conformity with the European regulatory framework.

Labour and FKNK have agreed that a Labour government would apply the derogation for the trapping of songbirds and other species specified in the relative regulations.

"This would be carried out in a derogation framework that is acceptable to the European Union," the two sides reassured.

A Labour government would also see that a derogation is correctly applied providing hunters and trappers with "satisfying solutions" according to the decision of the European Court of Justice on spring hunting and trapping of turtle dove and quail.

Moreover, there will be pre-established and fixed dates for the autumn and winter hunting while it would kick-start a consultation process for the review of laws, legal notices and relative policies to remove any grey areas.

After a series of talks, it has also been agreed that hunters and trappers should be involved to strengthening biodiversity while all measures would be taken to enforce laws and no illegalities would be tolerated.

A Labour government would also give the Ornis committee its due importance.

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Lill-min qed jikteb dwar daqshekk vot ghal-lejber!! Habib-Ftakar illi il-pajjiz taht il-PN il-kaccaturi hadu derogi u hadd qatt ma gietu f'mohhu referendum abbrogattiv! Issa qamu u holmu bir-referendum bla ma spjegaw fuq x'hiex ser jibbazawh Nhar is-Sibt vot ghal Joseph ghax Oilgate u il-hmieg ta' frame up arukaza minn Tonio fenech fil-konfront ta' joe cordina (clockgate)huma ferm izjed serji minn referendum tal-konvenjenza mil-PN! Fanatizmu favur birdlife jew kaccaturi huma it-tnejn hziena Ahjar dawk responsabbli jersqu lejn xulxin u jibdew jiddjalogaw forsi naslu fi ftehim li tgawdi malta u ghawdex kollu
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I am no pro hunter(shotgun use) but agree on trapping of migrating birds My passtime along with other things is photography and have no difficulty taking pictures with hunters -I respect their territory they accept my presence Birdlife need to look into its own organisation and decide if similar to the FNNK fanatics flanks its ranks That established it ought to embark on opening up constructive dialogue with the FNNK to agree on common ground that at present divides the two It is no easy path but the most commendable (the easiest situation for both is the current status quo- Us/them) I am certain birdlife will be amazed with the wealth of information this organisation embraces. Rogue hunters do exist but for god's sake le's not generalise on all the FNNK members The PL offering similar treatment to our hunting community as found else where in the EU need not be labeled anti birdlife What about chickens/turkeys/ostriches/ducks/grouse, arent't these feathered species? I will be the first to protest if these cannot be regarded as food!!
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LABOUR RUINED EVERYTHING. How can you, in the last minute try to get the hunters vote and lose that of the majority of law abiding citizens. This together with the episodes of violence already perpetrated on Sunday and the vandalism of today, which Maltoday does not report about, are scaring people away from Labour.
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Daqshekk ikkonsidrajt vot gall-Labour din l-elezzjoni.
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Dr Muscat he is masking a big mistake ,he is going to be the blame of all those birds that are going to loose their life in the future.Please God give him all the helps he needs .
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Dr Muscat he is masking a big mistake ,he is going to be the blame of all those birds that are going to loose their life in the future.Please God give him all the helps he needs .
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Daqshekk ikkonsidrajt vot gall-Labour din l-elezzjoni.
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Daqshekk ikkonsidrajt vot gall-Labour din l-elezzjoni.
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Daqshekk ikkonsidrajt vot gall-Labour din l-elezzjoni.
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The only bio diversity, hunter and trappers are interested in, is either stuffed or caged. The PL, on the other hand, has actually put a price on our natural heritage. What they overlook is that it's not theirs to exploit but have a responsibility to conserve and regenerate what's left of our 'green' environment for the common good.
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'Muscat has however made it clear that the negotiated EU package cannot be reopened and the review carried out would be in conformity with the European regulatory framework'. This should explain the fair position taken by JM. @ Nomis101, I think I have a hint of your political leanings. Your nom-de-plume betrays you.
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@Nomis 101. Shame on gonzipn and busullotti because they were responsible for the ban on bird trapping. Whereas our european counterparts enjoy full freedom to enjoy their hobby tyo the full, us Maltese are treated like second class citizens. Insomma like blues and reds dear nomis.
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Jeffrey Camilleri
SHAME ON LABOUR!!!!
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And so, when it comes to the liberal vote, Joseph Muscat managed to snatch defeat from the jaws of victory.
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PL has just lost the entire enviromenalist vote. Well done. Political opportunism will not take you very Joseph, you will learn the hard way.
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PL has just lost the entire enviromenalist vote. Well done. Political opportunism will not take you very Joseph, you will learn the hard way.
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PL has just lost the entire enviromenalist vote. Well done. Political opportunism will not take you very Joseph, you will learn the hard way.
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How fairer than that can one get, working within established EU laws. Should these change then thoise in Malta will automatically change also. Hunters will get no more no less than that established by LAW....."....according to the decision of the European Court of Justice on spring hunting and trapping of turtle dove and quail."
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What a mistake JM made. With the wide margin in his favour PN trappers will still vote PN. This was a misjudgement. He will earn many enemies from the ambient front. He must keep up with the times.
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Though I am not a hunter, I feel that both political parties should sign such an agreement that ensures that hunting is done within EU law and that everyone know were s/he stands. We all know that song birds are still being trapped illegally and nothing is done about this. I see nothing wrong with updating and tightening regulations.