Hunters cry harassment over ‘foreign interference’
Raphael Vassallo
The Federation of Hunters Trappers and Conservationists (FKNK) yesterday fired a warning salvo ahead of the arrival of German conservationists CABS (Campaign Against Bird Slaughter), due to fly in to Malta on an observation mission this Saturday.
Describing these self-styled ‘bird protectionists’ as ‘mercenaries’ and ‘hired spies’, FKNK secretary Lino Farrugia lambasted the government for caving into international pressure and banning hunting after 3pm during September, against the advice of both the Ornis Committee and its own Attorney General.
“The government is collectively punishing Maltese and Gozitan hunters, by not allowing us to go out hunting in our own homeland after 3pm between 15 and 30 September,” Farrugia said, claiming that this was being done specifically to accommodate the “interfering foreigners.”
Addressing a press conference shortly after a multimedia presentation about the historical fortifications built by the Knights of St John – “For the Maltese have always defended themselves from the invasion of foreign interests,” Farrugia later explained – the top officials of Malta’s federation of hunting and trapping associations complained about “intolerable levels of harassment and interference” by foreign vigilantes who pass themselves off as environmentalists.
“These hired spies will be here until the end of the month, roaming around and trespassing, as well as harassing, pestering, interfering and provoking Maltese social life,” Farrugia said. “They also intend to break into private property without permission at night. So apart from sophisticated equipment such as binoculars and cameras, they will also come armed with pliers and other instruments.”
This will be the second visit by CABs to Malta this year, after the group sent a delegation to monitor illegal hunting during the spring migration season. Farrugia yesterday repeated former allegations that German birdwatchers had verbally abused hunters and caused wilful damage to private property while last in Malta.
“They trespassed on privately-owned land, cut through wire netting and provoked and taunted Maltese hunters,” he said. “We have also taken legal advice, and have been assured that it is completely illegal to hang around all day and spy on people who are only minding their own affairs.”
Farrugia added that reports had been filed with the police, but these were still being investigated several months later.
“We know the police are busy with other matters; we understand this and appreciate their efforts,” he said in reply to a MaltaToday question. “But it remains a fact that when others file reports about illegal hunting, action is usually taken straight away...”
Farrugia concluded by urging hunters not to respond to provocation, but to report instances of harassment and trespassing to the police and to the FKNK itself.
“Last spring we issued guidelines for how hunters and trappers should behave and what they should do if they feel hassled by these foreigners,” Farrugia said. “These guidelines are still valid today.”
A list of Malta’s police stations, complete with their telephone numbers, has been circulated among all the federations’ members.
Also in the line of fire was British ornithological institution RSPB (Royal Society For the Protection of Birds), which will also send a group of volunteer birdwatchers to malta during October.
“Let me start by addressing CABS and also the RSPB,” Farrugia said. “As they say in English, ‘Charity begins at home’, and also, ‘People in glass houses should not throw stones’.”
Referring to illegal hunting in both Germany and the UK, Farrugia claimed that British papers reported a 40% increase in illegally shot birds of prey, while the largest-ever recorded massacre of raptors ironically took place in Germany itself. “These people had better look at what’s happening in their own countries, before coming here where they are not welcome,” Farrugia warned.
Asked by this newspaper about the imminent end to trapping after the transitional period expires on December 31, and whether Maltese trappers had been adequately informed about the impending loss of their pastime, Farrugia admitted that he had difficulties getting this message across to association members.
“We have been warning that this was going to happen for some time, but even some of our own members refused to believe us,” he said.
But while trapping appears set to be phased out by the end of this year, Farrugia was adamant that the accession treaty only bans the trapping of seven species of songbird – and even then, making allowances for a certain number to be trapped to maintain the species’ biodiversity.
“Other European member States still permit trapping of a number of other species,” FKNK PRO Joe Perici Calascione added, citing plover, turtledove and quail as examples. “If there is political will on the part of the present Government, it would be possible to salvage some part of our national traditional of trapping.”
However, it was clear from comments and facial expressions of all hunters present that none believed that the present government had no intention of challenging the status quo.
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