Enforce EU law to stop bird slaughter on Malta

To:  EU Commissioner for the Environment

Dear Commissioner Dimas,

Many concerned professional and amateur ornithologists, and not least ordinary bird and nature lovers in the European Union and elsewhere, are increasingly in doubt as to whether the EU will retain its firm stance on the matter of phasing out all bird hunting and trapping on Malta. Recent statements by yourself and the Maltese Government, on the subject of the derogation for spring hunting of Common Quail and Turtle Dove, give cause for concern.

We ask you, as EU Commissioner for the Environment, to state clearly and publicly that EU bird protection laws will be enforced on Malta, closely and effectively supervised by independent observers. We ask you to yet again ensure that Malta fulfils its obligations to:

• introduce and enforce a complete spring ban on finch trapping, as the transition period agreed was only for autumn trapping.
• curtail by the open season at sea by a full month - to the end of January.
• implement and enforce a speed limit when shooting at sea.

Information received from Maltese citizens indicates that these changes have not yet been applied – let alone enforced.

Ultimately we demand that the EU Commission and the European Parliament take positive steps to officially observe, record and act on the excesses by Maltese hunters and the apathy, inaction or plain ineffectiveness of the Maltese authorities, and not relent in your aims and activity until Malta is a bird hunting-free zone.

In the hope that you will take early and effective action in this matter we remain,

Sincerely,

The Undersigned

The Enforce EU law to stop bird slaughter on Malta Petition to EU Commissioner for the Environment was created by Proact International and written by David J A Conlin (david.conlin@gmail.com).  This petition is hosted here at www.PetitionOnline.com as a public service. There is no endorsement of this petition, express or implied, by Artifice, Inc. or our sponsors. For technical support please use our simple Petition Help form.

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