Environmental Groups Criticise Decision to Open Spring Hunting Season
· Updated
In brief
- Malta's spring hunting season for turtle dove and quail has been approved.
- The Ornis Committee backed the decision, with the season set to open on 13th April.
- ADPD – The Green Party and BirdLife Malta have strongly condemned the move, citing political pressure and lack of scientific basis.
Malta's spring hunting season for turtle dove and quail has been given the green light, with the season scheduled to begin on 13th April. This decision was supported by the Ornis Committee, which advises the government on hunting matters.
ADPD – The Green Party has strongly criticised the move, describing it as an act of 'cowardice'. The party stated that the decision represents giving in to a small group of hunters, which comes at the cost of Malta's natural environment and heritage.
BirdLife Malta also issued a strong condemnation of the Ornis Committee's decision. The organisation accused the committee of aligning with 'political pressure' rather than making choices based on scientific evidence and conservation needs.
Both environmental groups highlighted that there is significant scientific evidence indicating that the populations of both turtle dove and quail, particularly the turtle dove, are in decline. They argue that opening a hunting season for these species goes against conservation efforts.
ADPD further suggested that the government's decision shows a lack of commitment to protecting vulnerable species and prioritising short-term political gains over long-term environmental sustainability.
BirdLife Malta emphasised that the Ornis Committee's role should be to safeguard wildlife based on expert advice, not to yield to external influences. They called for decisions to be guided by data that supports the protection of migratory birds.
Earlier, Fil-Qosor reported on the approval of Malta's spring hunting season.
BirdLife Malta has strongly criticised the Environment and Resources Authority (ERA) for its stance on the recently approved spring hunting season. The environmental group stated that ERA was "spineless" for choosing to abstain from the vote on the season.
According to BirdLife Malta, ERA's decision to abstain meant it ignored scientific evidence that should have led it to oppose the opening of the season. This criticism adds to the ongoing debate surrounding the controversial hunting season, with environmentalists continuing to voice their concerns.
The Spin Room
Medium media divide. MaltaToday reported BirdLife Malta's strong criticism of the Environment and Resources Authority's abstention on the spring hunting vote, adding to the existing debate.
- MaltaToday: Focused on BirdLife Malta's strong condemnation of ERA's abstention, highlighting the "spineless" accusation and the disregard for scientific evidence.