Maltese spring hunting ‘an offence for Europe’ – Italian MEP

Spring hunting is "an offence for Europe" and the only Malta can learn is if it is taken to the European Court of Justice and sanctions are imposed, Italian liberal MEP Andrea Zanoni (ALDE) said today.

"Europe must have a 'flash of pride'... for Malta, the only language that appears to provoke fear is the imposition of sanctions. It is therefore imperative that the European Commission and the European Court of Justice take immediate action," Zanoni insisted.

In a heated intervention on the Maltese spring hunting derogation, Zanoni said that hunters are authorised to kill 16,000 birds during Spring, when the migrating birds are nesting.

"This represents an offence to the whole of the EU," he reiterated.

Referring to petitions submitted to the European Parliament for other types of hunting, with numerous emails sent by various EU citizens, Zanoni said that Malta shouldn't be treated any differently.

"The law must be equal for all," Zanoni said "We now open infringement procedure against Malta."

Zanoni said Europe must take immediate action against Malta in light of the various illegalities reported, including the shooting down of protected species during the spring hunting season.