Alternattiva Demokratika has welcomed the vote by the European Parliament supporting the Commission’s decision to open infringement proceedings against the Maltese Government for violation of the Birds Directive and which strongly urges the Commission to redouble its efforts to persuade the Maltese authorities to comply fully with Community law.

Dr Harry Vassallo, Chairperson for AD said that “this vote is not a vote against Malta, but it is a vote in favour of the majority of Maltese citizens who wanted to join Europe precisely to get rid once and for all of illegalities, lack of respect for the environment, lack of access to the environment and this type of parochial politics”.

This motion, presented by the European Greens, on the intiative of Alternattiva Demokratika, is a confirmation that those European standards we have voted for can no longer be disregarded by the Nationalist Party for the sake of despicable electoral strategies.

Dr Vassallo also commented on the amendments by the Maltese MEPs, that were all in the direction to continue having hunting in spring. Dr Vassallo stated that “this shows that both the PN and MLP are willing to ridicule Malta with their parochial mentality in the European Parliament. Irrespective of what the national interest is, both PN and MLP will always consider a few thousand votes as their number one priority.”

Dr Vassallo said “that AD was never a pro-hunting party was always evident, but at least we can face each and every hunter in Malta and Gozo and proudly tell them that AD has never lied to them about the future of spring hunting and bird trapping, and that it has never used them for a game of political ping pong.”

Dr Vassallo has called on the Government to stop acting in an infantile manner, and start abiding by the rules. “A government acting in illegality is a dangerous government. Dr Gonzi and his cabinet need to grow out of parochial politics” Dr Vassallo added.

In conclusion, AD reaffirms its stand that any fine imposed on Malta due to the illegalities of this Government with regards to hunting, must be paid by the hunters themselves and by the Nationalist Party, since this fiasco is solely their fault, and not the taxpayers’”