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Spring hunting | 'An issue of defending one’s rights' – PM Lawrence Gonzi
Confronting procedures initiated by the EU Commision on Spring hunting, is "not an issue of fines, but not being afraid of defending our rights," Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has said.
29 October 2010, 12:00am
Nestor Laiviera
Nestor Laiviera
1 min read
Speaking to reporters in Brussels at the end of an EU Summit, the Prime Minister referred to this weeks infringement procedures initiated by the EU Commission over Spring hunting. The Commission is claiming that Malta failed to comply with the ECJ ruling, in particular over legislation permitting future spring hunting seasons for turtle dove and quail.
“Despite being found guilty by the European Court of Justice in September 2009 of breaching the EU Birds Directive by permitting spring hunting between 2004 and 2007, Malta again opened a spring hunting season this year,” BirdLife Malta, who reported the issue ," the EC Commission said.
But when asked about the issue, the Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi reaffirmed that the Maltese government is ready to contest the issue, and said that discussions have already been initiated with the European Commission over this alleged breach of the Birds Directive.
He reiterated Malta’s position, that "it is ready to abide by and implement whatever ruling the court delivers on the issue."
“In this respect, the government stands by everything it has done to adhere to the Directive and the ECJ ruling, including the adoption of the new legislation that it has put in place,” the Prime Minister said.
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Lawrence Gonzi ,to you killing birds for fun is good ehhh? I think you are continuing to be ....... . are rights Lawrence Gonzi? you speaking of all maltese people are you sure? I think you are not , you are speaking for those who love to kill all that flies. and than you are against Divorce law? I wonder what our emeritus prime minister dr. eddie fenech adami had in mind to choose you.
eleonoray86cws Ca?uana •
RIGHTS?? So we deny rights to separated couples, homosexuals, refugees and suspects in police custody. Strictly limit rights on freedom of speech through "obscenity laws". And now Dr Gonzi becomes a staunch defender on the right to kill birds?
Admit you just don't want to lose anyone's vote, cause otherwise what you are losing is your entire integity.
Rights...yes, sure
Igor P. Shuvalov •
Well the Prime Minister has no other way but to contest the issue. Otherwise he has to answer for not keeping his pre-election promises.
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QUOTE:Malta is contesting the infringement procedures initiated by the EU Commision on Spring hunting, is "not an issue of fines, but not being afraid of defending our rights," Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi has said.
COMMENT:One would think that these rights should have been protected when the agreements for EU membership were being negotiated. The issue of fines should not burden the PM, after all it's the Maltese people that would be paying for this mess.
