FKNK says government considering half-day 'season' for all hunters
The Federation for Hunting & Conservation - Malta (FKNK) said today that it had learned that government might offer a single half-day spring hunting season, or something of the sort, to each hunter, in a last ditch attempt to give the public the illusion that with its proposed spring hunting season it was keeping its promise regarding spring-hunting, and it was not discriminating amongst hunters.
"If such information is correct the FKNK immediately declares that this is totally unacceptable, and implores Dr. Gonzi to stop insulting the hunters, trappers and their families, besides taking the rest of the Maltese nation for a ride," the federation said.
The government two weeks ago announced a week-long spring hunting season limited to 2,500 hunters who would be granted a special licence. But the federation said that was unacceptable to the 12,000 licenced hunters and directed the hunters not to apply. Only a small number of hunters applied.
The FKNK in a statement this evening said that the government's commitment to hunters and trappers was to give a satisfactory alternative solution in spring to our inconsiderable harvest in autumn, as ruled by the European Court of Justice on 10th September 2009.
"A satisfactory alternative solution is one that offers the opportunity for every hunter and trapper to practise hunting and trapping during a decent spring season that meets his legitimate expectations."
"The FKNK reiterates that Maltese hunters and trappers are not beggars that Dr. Gonzi can brush off with scraps."
The FKNK also referred to a government statement that it did not want to see taxpayers' money being used to pay fines for hunting.”
The federation said the prime minister had run out of arguments, and the mention of EU fines seemed to be the only way left for him to attempt to quash the success of the FKNK directive to the hunters and turn back public criticism of his handling of the spring-hunting issue.
"The public has little cause for alarm. Article 260 of the Treaty (EU Functioning) states: “If the Commission considers that the Member State concerned has not taken the necessary measures to comply with the judgment of the Court, it may bring the case before the Court after giving that State the opportunity to submit its observations.”
According to this article, the FKNK said, unless there was some hidden deceit, 'which is not unusual where EU/PN government dealings are concerned,' it was clear that fines were not automatic.
"The government must first be given the chance to justify its actions, and then the Commission may bring the case before the Court. Faced with valid arguments, it will probably decide not to. In any case it seems the Court itself would have the final say."
The federation said the judges of the European Court of Justice were very clear in their absolute refusal of the Commission’s argument that autumn hunting offered a satisfactory alternative to spring. Consequently, the Commission was powerless to prevent the government from applying a derogation allowing Malta’s hunters to hunt in spring in a satisfactory manner.

