GozoNews.Com

In the light of the visit from the EU Commission delegation to discuss the issue of spring hunting with the Maltese Government, Moviment Graffitti believes that the time has come for the Government to shun political opportunism and to stop spring hunting for once and for all.

“The recent decision taken by the Maltese Government to open the hunting season in spring once again, is not only going to result in more environmental damage through the slaughtering of birds in a more vulnerable period, but is also going explicitly against EU regulations, as established in the Birds Directive.”

“It is clear that on this aspect the Maltese Government upheld no form of derogation. Furthermore, the only legitimate way a country can bypass such regulations is through the provision of evidence that there exists no alternative to this type of hunting, due to a lack of birds in other seasons. However, the EU has made it more than clear that this is not the case with regards to Malta, and therefore there is no justification whatsoever for the authorization of spring hunting in Malta.

Therefore, Moviment Graffitti is of the opinion that: “The European Union is utterly justified in putting pressure on the Maltese Government, even in taking legal action to curb spring hunting. However, this may well mean that Malta will endure harsh financial penalties, if it continues to persist in violating such EU legislation. Therefore, it is a huge irresponsibility on the part of the Government to keep holding to its illegitimate stance in defending spring hunting, even more so when the great majority of Maltese citizens are categorically against spring hunting”.

Moviment Graffitti wants to elucidate that: “One of the primary reasons that Maltese citizens voted in favor of Malta’s accession in the European Union was the desire for more environmental protection, including the curbing of irresponsible hunting. Therefore on this point, the Maltese Government is surely not representing the wish of the majority of Maltese citizens, but continues to endorse the interest of hunters, for fear of losing votes. In this regard, Moviment Graffitti would like to remind the Government to take heed of the fact that environmentalists, animal-lovers and all those who are against spring hunting are also going to utilize their vote with regards this issue.

Therefore, Moviment Graffitti upholds that: “The Maltese Government should be much more responsible in curbing spring hunting, through shunning political opportunism as well as through abiding by the wishes of the majority. If this is not going to take place, Malta is risking high financial penalties, whilst sustaining the slaughter of thousands of birds and the consequential environmental damage.

Moviment Graffitti would also like to take this opportunity to categorically condemn the acts of vandalism which have recently been carried out by unknown persons on the Ghadira Nature Reserve as well as in various other localities around Malta, and where threats have been made regarding the curbing of spring hunting.