.png)
.png)
Labour MEP says trapping ban resulted in ‘unexplained deaths’
John Attard Montalto questions Brussels’ approach over trapping in Malta.
Labour MEP John Attard Montalto has told the European Commission that the ban on trapping of birds in Malta has resulted in “unexplained deaths.”
In a parliamentary question he tabled this week, the MEP asked the Commission whether it was aware that its “belatedly pathetic attempt” to tell the Maltese government of the illegality of opening the trapping season in 2011 was having a “live-threatening effect” [sic] on up to 8,000 EU citizens (Maltese bird trappers and their suffering families), “who regard this practice as a way of life they cannot do without, to the extent that there have been unexplained deaths.”
Attard Montalto forms part of an MEPs’ intergroup on hunting.
In his question, Attard Montalto says there were no pre-accession negotiations for Malta’s entry to the EU regarding the autumn and winter live-capture of non-protected bird species, in particular the turtle dove, the quail, the golden plover and the song thrush.
He also added that such trapping is not in contravention of the Birds Directive regulations. “Citing Article 8 of the same Directive, there was never any need to apply a derogation for the continuation of the practice after Malta’s EU membership.”
Malta still opted to derogate from the Birds Directive to permit trapping up until 2009.
On 16 June 2011, the Commission sent a letter of formal notice to the Maltese government, informing it that it considers that in the case of Maltese trapping derogations, not all the conditions laid out in the Birds Directive had been met.
Attard Montalo has asked the Commission as to what prompted it to object now rather than before. “Other than the biased correspondence submitted by the anti-trapping and anti-hunting BirdLife Malta, shouldn’t the Commission have requested similar correspondence from other interested, affected parties, at the very least from its partner the Malta government before commencing infringements procedures against Malta?”
Hunters’ federation FKNK said it publicly thanked the MEP. “Not just for this timely intervention, but also for his continuous support of the Maltese traditional socio-cultural passions of hunting and trapping,” secretary-general Lino Farrugia said.
•
Dr Attard Montaldo is most probably supporting the hunters to get their vote to be able to hold on to the MEP fat salary and enjoy his globe trotting adventures. A typical opportunist.
•
The only time you hear of Attard Montalto these days is when he speaks in favour of the massacre of birds. The rest of the time he seems to be away on some holiday or other.Not that I mind, but he happens to be drawing a few hundred thousand Euro of our money whilst doing so.That Brussels gravy train is still Choo Chooing along.
•
The majority of “hunters” voted GonziPN into power.
.
It is so satisfying to see them being screwed over by the same people they voted for.
.
Serves them right.
.
John Attarcd Montaldo is simply desperate for votes, but he had proved that he is miles away from people of real caliber, such as Louis Grech and Profs Scicluna. He is as useful for Malta as David Casa…
.
It is indeed a pity that a worthwhile person, Ms. Mizzi, has been denied the opportunity to be an MEP. She, like Messrs. Grech and Scicluna, would have been a tremendous asset for Malta.
•
Wenzu, when you were refering to intellectual level , have you been looking in a mirror lately ?
•
if one's cultural existence is primarily for the trapping of birds and stickin' 'em in a 6 inch cube cage, then I really feel sorry for the intellectual level of these, errr, sportsmen?
•
All this fuzz because of banning hunting and trapping. Does anyone know how many hunters are arrogant and selfish? If a person has a field, they (the hunters) pretend it belong to them and they enter with the excuse of following a shot bird, and they make a mess out of the crops. no one mentions these facts. I know people who own fields, who themselves had to buy a shot gun, but not for shooting birds, but to protect their property, since many hunters and bird trappers have 'close contacts' with people who should enforce law, and they never turn up at certain places! I'm sure that this is an 'EXPLAINED' dangerous situation, and one day we might have a very 'EXPLAINED' accident!!!
•
If they are unexplained then JAM is just milking for votes by this ludicrous claim,so please let's put away the violin !
