As representatives of the undersigned entities, we are, in the aftermath of the spring hunting season submitting this declaration to show our affirmation of Government’s early termination of the season due to rampant illegal hunting.

However, we are also submitting this declaration to show our deepest concern and opposition to the fact that by allowing the opening of the season; the Maltese Government has sustained its efforts to justify Spring Hunting. We are of the opinion that such a practice should be permanently declared unlawful and abolished, as:

• Spring Hunting is extremely harmful, both to particular bird species as well as to the general environment, as it targets birds just before their reproductive period. Thus, it is a direct threat to bird populations and the ecosystem.

• The European Union forbids Spring Hunting in all its member states and Malta,as a state party should duly conform to such regulations. The Maltese Government upholds no right to a special derogation regarding Spring Hunting. Although Article 9 of the EU Birds Directive permits the justification of Spring Hunting in Member States under very specific circumstances, it has been repeatedly declared by the European Union that Malta cannot qualify for such an exemption.

• By persisting in allowing Spring Hunting, the Maltese Government is irresponsibly placing Malta and its citizens at risk of incurring hefty fines from the European Union.

• Spring Hunting adversely affects tourism, particularly, eco-tourism, which Malta is trying to promote.

• Spring Hunting is easily utilised as an opportunity by irresponsible persons to hunt down protected species. In fact, illegal spring hunting and trapping has been shown to be rampant in Malta.

• The majority of Maltese citizens are against hunting in spring.

We also declare a vote of no confidence in the Ornis Committee, due to its lack of autonomy, impartiality and biased position. We are of the opinion that the Ornis Committee should be completely independent from the state, though having no government appointed bodies. This will avoid any shifting of responsibility and/or blame for any decisions taken by Government with regards to hunting.

For all the above mentioned reasons, whilst strongly welcoming Government’s decision to terminate earlier the Spring Hunting season due to rampant illegal hunting, we feel that it has been a highly arbitrary, undemocratic and irresponsible act on behalf of Government to have justified spring hunting by allowing the opening of the season. As a result, we hereby formally request you, as the elected representatives of the Maltese public, to take a direct stand against this unsustainable practice by declaring such a practice illegal once and for all.

Moviment Graffitti, World Animal Conscience, Animal Rights Malta, Break on Through, Gaia Foundation, Association for Abandoned Animals, Island sanctuary, SOS Animals, Animals Rights Group, Alternattiva Demokratika, Friends of the Earth, Ananda Marga, Yelp for Help, St Frances Foundation for Animals and the SPCA.

Sources showing that the majority are against Spring Hunting :-

This is the poll result from MaltaToday’s issue of 27th May 2001:

Should hunting be abolished? YES 89% NO 11%

See www.maltatoday.com...

The vast majority (87 per cent) of respondents to the latest Times of Malta poll believe that the government was justified in ending spring hunting so abruptly. From The Times of 17th May 2007.

See www.timesofmalta.com...