Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/839659
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 21 JUNE 2017 TIM DIACONO THE traditional Maltese pi- geon cull could be falling foul of EU law, meaning that the government could be obliged to seek a derogation to maintain the practice, BirdlIfe Malta's chief execu- tive has warned. A pigeon cull is being planned for Birgu on Thurs- day evening, with the local council insisting it is nec- essary to control the bird populations and hence tack- le the problem of pigeon ex- crement. It is the latest in a recent string of pigeon culls organised by local councils – following in the footsteps of those in Balzan, Sliema, St Julian's, and Bormla. However, BirdLife Malta CEO Mark Sultana told Mal- taToday that it is likely that the EU's Birds Directive, which has been transposed into Maltese law, requires governments to seek a dero- gation before allowing such culls to take place. "Malta should apply for an EU derogation to allow for the culling of pigeons, which could be a justified practice so long as it is carried out correctly and ethically," he said. Sultana said that the cur- rent method of culling – es- sentially involving people using rif les to gun down pi- geons in the streets – is not an effective way to control pigeon populations. "In other countries, pi- geons are first trapped and then killed afterwards. The reality is that people who go out shooting pigeons in the street are doing so because they enjoy it." Moreover, he warned that the culling is taking place during breeding season, which could disrupt the breeding of migratory birds such as the swift. MaltaToday contacted the head of the Wild Birds Regu- lation Unit Sergei Golovkin, but he said that he wasn't permitted to speak to the press over the telephone. Animal lovers plan to dis- rupt pigeon cull News that the Birgu local council was planning a pi- geon cull sparked outrage amongst animal lovers, and the Animal Protectors Malta group is organising a protest to coincide with the cull. The group's founder Mikel St John is encouraging pro- testors to bring whistles to scare the pigeons off with noise and to film the culling and pass on the footage to foreign media. "We must show the world how Maltese deal with liv- ing beings…I need you true animal lovers to be there… no bullshit…stop complain- ing…let's do something!" Animal Welfare Commis- sion Emanuel Buhagiar has said that Malta should follow Melbourne in controlling pigeon populations by build- ing hen-house traps in which pigeons lay their eggs which will are ten destroyed before they hatch. Labour MEP Marlene Miz- zi has also called for pigeon culling – which she decried as a "macabre and sad spec- tacle which will seriously damage Malta's reputation" – to be replaced with a na- tionwide initiative to control the pigeon population in a strategic, humane and long- lasting manner. "There is ample research and literature on long-term control on pigeons with proven success," she said. "Adopting a 'wild west' strat- egy which is cruel, macabre, dangerous and ineffective is not the solution." News Pigeon culling 'could require EU law derogation' Animal lovers plan to film and disrupt planned pigeon culling in Birgu tomorrow evening Marlene Farrugia will join Opposition in parliament PARTIT Demokratiku leader and MP Marlene Farrugia will join the Op- position's parliamentary group, the party has confirmed following an ex- ecutive meeting. Should her partner and fellow PD candidate Godfrey Farrugia join her in Parliament through Wednesday's casual elections, then he too will au- tomatically join the Opposition's par- liamentary group. The PD said in a statement that this decision will ensure a more coordi- nated and effective parliamentary op- position, which will allow the 'Orange Party' to serve more effectively as the "People's Seat". "Partit Demokratiku is confident that this parliamentary representa- tion will therefore serve more effec- tively as the People's Seat, will be con- structive and proactive in the House debates and the fulfillment of all its parliamentary obligations, in particu- lar, the scrutiny of the Government," it said. Marlene Farrugia was elected to Parliament as a PD candidate but on the PN ticket, a novel pre-election co- alition intended to attract people who wanted to vote for a third party but didn't want to 'throw away' their vote. However, since her election, ques- tions have been raised about Farru- gia's commitment towards the PD, and indeed she has refused to rule out contesting for the vacant PN leader- ship. It is the latest in a recent string of pigeon culls organised by local councils – following in the footsteps of those in Balzan, Sliema, St Julian's, and Bormla. 59-year-old Birzebbuga man reported missing IN a missing persons report, the police said that a 59-year-old man George Galea was last seen near his residence in Birzeb- buga, wearing a black shirt and jeans and a necklace with a silver cross. Any information should be passed on to the nearest police station or by calling the police on 21 224 001 or 119. Information can be passed on confiden- tially. This is the second time in eight months that Galea is being reported as missing to the police. He had been found by police in Sliema. Toddler rescued in Comino VOLU NTEERS from the Emergency Response & Rescue Corps (ERRC) yesterday saved a 19-month old Czech girl who fell unconscious at the Blue Lagoon in Comino. THE infant was immediately assisted by the ERRC beach patrol who ad- ministered suitable artificial ventila- tions. AFTER she regained consciousness, the infant was transferred to the Go- zo general hospital accompanied by her mother. SHE was taken on board a hydro- ambulance and ferried to Mgarr to a waiting ambulance. ALTHOUGH initial media reports claimed that the baby had been spot- ted face down in shallow waters, it transpired that the parents had re- quested the assistance of the life- guards after seeing that their baby girl was unwell. A spokesperson for the police con- firmed that the baby was running a fever.