Even as the EU Commissioner is trying to bring Malta into line with the rest of Europe, the killing goes on. I have just received this email
Hunters in jeep 'chase' injured bird
http://timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=198495
As the government was announcing its plans to restrict hunting and trapping
in spring, hunters were shooting at protected birds in various parts of the
island, birdwatchers reported yesterday.
An osprey, a fish eating bird of prey that breeds in Scandinavian countries,
was shot on the outskirts of Buskett in the evening and a hobby, a small
falcon that migrates through Malta at this time of the year, was shot in the
same area.
Hunters in a white Suzuki jeep were seen chasing four marsh harriers that
settled in a field close to Mtarfa. Bird watchers said one of them was seen
shooting one of the harriers, an adult male. The bird fell with a broken
wing and the hunters were seen chasing it about the field without picking it
up.
Being in possession of protected species is a crime so it is not unusual for
hunters to shoot at protected birds but not pick them up and this to
minimise the chances of being caught in possession of such species.
Several flocks of night herons that migrated over various parts of the
island were also reported shot from several localities including Mellieha,
Mriehel and Delimara.
The Maltese hunting issue has been the subject of a number of questions in
the European Parliament over the past few days.
Several Green, Socialist and European People's Party MEPs asked the
Commission about illegal hunting and lack of enforcement of hunting
regulations.
In his reply, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said once the Maltese
government has sent the Commission its report about the progress registered
in Malta on various issues related to hunting and trapping, the Commission
would be in a position to ascertain whether the measures taken by Malta are
sufficient and, if necessary, to take the appropriate steps to ensure
compliance with Community law.
Mr Dimas made it clear that the Maltese government has decided to exercise
its right to apply a derogation for the hunting of quails and turtle doves
in spring and it was up to the Maltese authorities to demonstrate that these
derogations were fully in accordance with the requirements set out in the
directive.
He said the Commission was aware of reports about illegal hunting and it
"will take the appropriate steps in order to gather further information and
to ensure compliance with Community law".
I posted the latest news from the EU Commissioner this morning on the Conservation and Ethics thread.
Sorry I don't know how to add a link.
Ann
Hunters in jeep 'chase' injured bird
http://timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=198495
As the government was announcing its plans to restrict hunting and trapping
in spring, hunters were shooting at protected birds in various parts of the
island, birdwatchers reported yesterday.
An osprey, a fish eating bird of prey that breeds in Scandinavian countries,
was shot on the outskirts of Buskett in the evening and a hobby, a small
falcon that migrates through Malta at this time of the year, was shot in the
same area.
Hunters in a white Suzuki jeep were seen chasing four marsh harriers that
settled in a field close to Mtarfa. Bird watchers said one of them was seen
shooting one of the harriers, an adult male. The bird fell with a broken
wing and the hunters were seen chasing it about the field without picking it
up.
Being in possession of protected species is a crime so it is not unusual for
hunters to shoot at protected birds but not pick them up and this to
minimise the chances of being caught in possession of such species.
Several flocks of night herons that migrated over various parts of the
island were also reported shot from several localities including Mellieha,
Mriehel and Delimara.
The Maltese hunting issue has been the subject of a number of questions in
the European Parliament over the past few days.
Several Green, Socialist and European People's Party MEPs asked the
Commission about illegal hunting and lack of enforcement of hunting
regulations.
In his reply, Environment Commissioner Stavros Dimas said once the Maltese
government has sent the Commission its report about the progress registered
in Malta on various issues related to hunting and trapping, the Commission
would be in a position to ascertain whether the measures taken by Malta are
sufficient and, if necessary, to take the appropriate steps to ensure
compliance with Community law.
Mr Dimas made it clear that the Maltese government has decided to exercise
its right to apply a derogation for the hunting of quails and turtle doves
in spring and it was up to the Maltese authorities to demonstrate that these
derogations were fully in accordance with the requirements set out in the
directive.
He said the Commission was aware of reports about illegal hunting and it
"will take the appropriate steps in order to gather further information and
to ensure compliance with Community law".
I posted the latest news from the EU Commissioner this morning on the Conservation and Ethics thread.
Sorry I don't know how to add a link.
Ann
