14 May 2007 Rating 2% No Comment  

The Ramblers Association of Malta have said that they welcome the early ending of the spring hunting season after yet another atrocious act of violence toward nature. The Association added that it is a very positive move on the part of the authorities and, far from being a hasty decision, could not have come too soon. The Association went on to say that the atrocities of the past week revealed wilful violence against trees and protected birds. And that this has finally prodded the authorities over the edge with decisive action to draw Malta back into the civilised world and end the practice of hunting in Spring. Whilst encouraging all bona fide ramblers to enjoy the countryside with responsibility, the Ramblers said that it is inconceivable that government appears even at this point to envisage itself indulging in future fence-hopping on hunting. Following the highly commendable move of the ban, the Association appeals to the authorities not to collapse under election pressures and back track on this decision. Rather than sliding away from European unity over protection of wild birds the Maltese government should reassure the electorate that the ban on hunting in spring is a permanent one. Anything short of this will reveal what was thought initially to be a courageous action as merely a cosmetic one to benefit the political party in power, the Association concluded.