Here's the reply I've received from my MEP. Sounds encouraging, but he did when replying to me about this 3-4 years ago. The way things are so far this Spring, you begin to feel that the hunters have won and we might never see migration of some birds in any great numbers ever again.

Dear Mr Bissitt,



Spring Hunting in Malta

Thank you very much for your recent note regarding spring hunting in Malta. It is an issue I have been personally involved in since 2006, at which time the European Commission, on behalf of the European Union, began legal proceedings against Malta for its failure to adhere to EU rules regarding the hunting of migratory birds such as quails and turtle doves.

In 2010 Malta was found guilty of breaching the EU Birds Directive through opening spring hunting seasons. Too many birds were killed and there was no control on numbers shot. The Maltese government responded with new legislation which was still in breach of EU law as there was no consideration of the conservation status of Turtle Dove and Quail, no link to the number of birds hunted in autumn, and quotas considered were too high to ensure sustainability.

By 2012 the Maltese government introduced new legislation requiring hunters to pay 50 euros for a permit, to abide by a bag limit, to report number of birds shot and to wear an armband. RSPB tell me that illegalities are still rife on the ground. This was not helped by one political party pledging to remove the registration fee and the armband identification and coming into power soon after. I understand the result was 50% more hunters in the countryside.

The latest report to MEPs from the European Commission suggests that Malta appears to have taken some positive measures to improve the enforcement system. According to information provided by the Maltese authorities, the magnitude of penalties possible under Maltese legislation has doubled over the past few years and a substantial record of prosecutions have been made.

The Commission has explained that is in contact with the Maltese authorities who have provided information on the planned reform of the relevant enforcement structures, including the setting up of a specialised Wildlife Crime Unit, which will be fully and exclusively dedicated to enforcement of wildlife regulations, including regulations related to hunting.

Nevertheless I will continue to support RSPB in the campaign work it is doing in this regard. I am told that 66% of the Maltese population want to see spring hunting abolished and that a number of Maltese environmental organisations are seeking to use the Referendum Act to force a national referendum to ban spring hunting permanently in Malta. Verification of the 45,000 signatures collected so far by the Maltese Government is still underway, with the referendum expected in early 2015.

Thank you again for taking the time to contact me regarding this issue.



With best regards,



Chris Davies MEP

There is an online petition calling for a stop to the slaughter of birds in Malta and Cyprus at https://you.38degrees.org.uk/petitions/stop-migrating-birds-being-slaughtered-in-malta-and-cyprus It is currently 27 signatures short of its 400 target

Haha very good (and unfortunately quite right in my opinion) Rick. I too thought he reined himself in impressively - in his position I'm fairly sure I would have got frustrated and done something stupid (stupid in terms of legality - in terms of morality, well that's for each to form their own opinion!)

For what it's worth Dave I personally fully agree with your point but I know there's many people who don't. I think what you've said is important as I've read/heard of many versions of 'why is Chris Packham butting in about what's going on with Malta when the same thing happens in britain too?' It's worthwhile noting that many are against what happens here, but it IS true that the situation in Malta is worse simply because of the larger scale.

Yep ,terrible state of affairs and I have known about this for years,however I fail to comprehend why people are allowed to shoot Woodcock,Snipe ,Teal et al in this country,when the numbers are ever dwindling,not looking for an argument just stating that the same happens here on a lesser scale

Chris Packham is a legend. The way he stood up to those bullying hunters in a public woodland was mega. And knowing that they (or men like them) were responsible for that poor Montague's Harrier that he helped the vet to euthanize must have made him want to grab one of those guns and kneecap the idiots. I'm writing to 6 of the 8 MEP's for the North West, not the BNP or UKIP parties though... We all know their policies on migrants!!!

Malta epitomizes to me all that confirms humans (at their worst) as a scum species. Frank Horrocks said that we are the only animals capable of being truly vile.

- Never been to Malta, never want to go there; - the killing would make me sick to my stomach; - I'd probably want to retaliate in some really nasty way and end up in prison....

-- Edited by Mike Passant on Sunday 6th of April 2014 01:55:33 PM

Hi Paul,

I don't think you can really compare what happens in the British Isles to that of Malta and other countries for that matter. Although I certainly do not agree with the killing of any birds in any shape or form and what is happening in the British Isles, especially in the upland areas is wrong and the perpetrators need to be brought to justice!

However, what is happening in Malta is just utterly barbaric. Just search the internet and you will find statement like the following-

"Malta has one of the world's highest number of hunters per capita, who shoot and kill any bird that flies. The skies over Malta and the surrounding sea are devoid of birds. Each year, 3 million birds are shot or trapped on Malta while migrating between Africa and Europe in the spring and autumn, leading to a gradual decline of these beloved European birds that traditionally seek refuge in Malta"

Not much of a comparison is there?

Cheers

Riggers

its a bit rich condemning Malta when the same lack of respect for wildlife happens on our own doorstep on an industrial scale

http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2014/04/01/ross-shire-massacre-death-toll-rises-to-16/

http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2014/04/05/poisoned-peregrine-found-nr-leadhills-boundary-police-response-appalling/

http://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2014/04/04/fatally-injured-spring-trapped-buzzard-west-yorks-police-appeal-for-info/

killing everything during the war to eat is understandable. but these people really need to understand that they now have to stop. they really should be under sanction from the EU but nothing is happening it is utterly disgraceful.

OK yes fair enough I take that back re. Malta's heroism in WW2 However they are now environmental and bird life pariahs breaking all European conventions on a grand scale. Chris Packham's programmes will go out on YouTube at 9pm every day 21-26 April. 100s of thousands of shooters are 'allowed' to shoot Turtle Doves and Quail - massively under threat as you all know. But in practice they just kill everything that moves through this majorly important migration flyway - blasting away at butterflies if there are no birds. The country has the audacity to frequently celebrate birds on their stamps - including Turtle Doves.

miserable little island which is the misguided recipient of the George Cross - Malta

Bit harsh that Tim. Malta received the George Cross because it was bombed to near oblivion during WW2.

I can't understand what is wrong with these people (all hunters tbh) it gripes me that man - in certain aspects - thinks he's above and beyond the majesty of animals :/

Chris Packham reports late April nightly on Youtube from the frontline of the slaughter of all birds on the miserable little island which is the misguided recipient of the George Cross - Malta

http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/