28 February 2007 Rating 46% No Comment  

Alternattiva Demokratika notes again that the European ideals voted for by the majority of the Maltese people in the EU accession referendum are once again being ignored by the government. EU rules are being ignored when it comes to emissions from Malta's power plants, in the extension of the development boundaries exercise and now we have a confirmation that they will continue to be ignored with the government's blessing as regards spring hunting. Ralph Cassar, AD spokesperson for Environment and Energy said "The government has once again given in to a few people who think they can do as they please. Instead of implementing EU law regarding hunting and giving the Maltese countryside back to the people, the Nationalist Government, scared stiff of losing votes, is risking stiff fines imposed by the EU. These fines will be paid out of everybody's taxes." Ralph Cassar said that "Alternattiva Demokratika expects a firm commitment from Minister Pullicino ensuring than any fines due will be paid by those holding a hunting license in 2007 and by them alone." Ralph Cassar added that if Government is giving in out of fear of losing the hunters' votes, then this translates that the Maltese tax payers, through the fine that is inevitable, are paying for the PN's election campaign. AD Chairperson Dr. Harry Vassallo said : "It is as easy to predict that Malta will be fined as it was easy to predict that government would be opportunistic and allow Spring hunting in 2007. Contrary to what Minister Pullicino claimed, the government has no mandate to defy the EU. In voting for EU membership a majority voted in favour of respect for the law and not for the government to defy EU rules in the hope of deceiving hunters one last time before the general election". Dr Vassallo added that it was clear to all who negotiated Malta's accession terms with the EU that the derogation on Spring hunting was a temporary measure. "All hunters and trappers knew that Spring hunting will come to an end and they can see through the government's pre-election trick today." Dr Vassallo said.