'Natura 2000 sites are compatible with hunting' - Lino Farrugia

Lino Farrugia, secretary general of the hunter's federation has rubbished calls for Natura 2000 sites to be declared no hunting zones

"Bird Life Malta's executive director, Mr. Steve Micklewright, admits that 'Almost all Natura 2000 sites are (or should be) accessible to the public, either by public roads and footpaths, or as nature parks and reserves'," said Farrugia.

"Mr. Micklewright should be aware that in the UK various forms of hunting may be legally practised 24/7 throughout the whole year, so why should he come to Malta and militantly try to abolish our recreational socio-cultural hunting and trapping passions."

According to Farrugia, there is no substance behind Bird Life Malta's request for Natura 2000 sites to be declared as no hunting zones.

"Most of the land within NATURA 2000 is privately owned, mostly by people whose way of life is hunting and trapping. In effect, this means they are also major stakeholders, and consequently their interests must be taken into consideration and respected," Farrugia said.

"Whereas such zones are not totally protected, they are amenable to hunting and trapping since these activities are perfectly compatible in such zones, unlike what Mr. Micklewright would have the uninformed general public believe."

Farrugia is adamant that "activities such as hunting and trapping may continue on Natura 2000 sites as long as they are compatible with its conservation objectives."

"Moreover, since all NATURA 2000 sites will be placed under specific management, all activities, including hunting and trapping, will have to be legally practised and controlled, an ideal situation for the good of biodiversity conservation."