Far right political leader Josie Muscat told MaltaToday he would not rule out suspending membership if the EU refused to negotiate exemptions to the Birds Directive.
Teaming up with Federazzjoni Kaccaturi, Nassaba u Konservazzjonisti (FKNK), Azzjoni Nazzjonali has proposed a number of measures with which hunting should be regulated in Malta – claiming that we could be in a position to negotiate derogations with the EU under Article 9 of the Birds Directive adopted in 1979.
Such measures include allowing spring hunting and trapping of turtledoves and quails, permitting the trapping of songbirds in autumn and winter as well as allowing hunting from speedboats – so long as such boats do not exceed the velocity of 5kph while hunting.
Malta has repeatedly been told that it will be awarded no such special derogation.
Asked whether he was aware of the infringement procedures already launched by the EU against Malta after failing to respect the Birds Directive, Dr Muscat replies “The EU should not pick on Malta for the use of hunting firearms when it supports the use of firearms to kill people. I find it strange that the EU tolerates members who congratulate Russia on its presidential elections behind its back, and does not tolerate a tradition that is so dear to us Maltese. The EU has to learn to respect Malta’s needs – that may differ from those of other member states with different realities.”
And what if the EU rejects AN’s proposals on hunting?
“In principle, AN is in favour of EU membership but we want to be members our way. We want to negotiate with the EU so that our rights are respected. We are nobody’s lapdogs (ahna m’ahna l-psataz ta’ hadd). Malta does not belong to the EU, it belongs to the Maltese people. In case they won’t hear us out, we’ll do what is most convenient for us Maltese.” Would that include relinquishing EU membership? “We wouldn’t rule anything out”.