Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1006805
7 maltatoday | SUNDAY • 22 JULY 2018 K ARL AZZOPARDI THE president of the hunting lobby has said he believes the trapping season will still be opened despite the European Court of Justice's decision that found Malta's deroga- tions to have been illegal. But Joseph Perici Calascione said the FKNK will not be able to formulate a proposal for a trapping season that fulfils the strict conditions laid down by the Birds Directive, in time for October. Perici Calascione on Friday addressed a sizeable crowd of members of the FKNK, in which he explained the rami- fications of the ECJ's decision on Malta's trapping season, which he claims "has no legal basis". Perici Calascione said that the FKNK will still request the Ornis Committee to derogate from the ban, but said the FKNK will not be in time to formulate a proposal of how to fulfil the conditions set by the Birds Directive by August. "The conditions include everything from enforcement to licences and the type of equipment we use… every- thing would have to change." Perici Calascione said he told members that he believed trapping will still be allowed some time soon. "If I didn't, I wouldn't be here. I said that other countries are in the same situation as Malta's. If these countries get anything more than we have, we'll take action." He also said trappers were visibly distraught by the ECJ's decision. "It is a way of life, it is something embedded in you. We are obviously very saddened. I can personally say that I even know people who have committed suicide fol- lowing the banning decision. "It will take some time for the season to be re-opened, but I believe that we will reach a legal compromise to restore such a fundamental piece of our culture," he said. The ECJ ruled that by allow- ing the live-capturing of seven species of wild finches, Malta had failed to fulfil its obliga- tions under the European Wild Birds Directive, which bans trapping and only allows it under very strict criteria. Malta had insisted that it was in line with the law, af- ter controversially reopening the season in 2014, after it had been phased out in 2009 in line with the EU accession treaty. "Malta followed the guide- lines issued by the European Union (EU) and still trapping was banned," Perici Calas- cione insisted. He claimed the decision was a clear example of how civil servants had more power than member states in the EU, claiming the decision was is- sued by "unelected officials". The ECJ questioned the level of enforcement by Maltese authorities, "considering that in the context of Malta, char- acterised by a very high den- sity of licence holders, namely over 4,000, and of registered trapping stations, namely over 6,400, the fact that merely 23 per cent of hunters have been subject to individual checks seems inadequate." Perici Calascione accused the EU of only being con- cerned with "imposing uni- formity" among its member states, and that it did not "re- spect the culture and unique- ness of individual countries", adding that he believed trap- ping had no ecological impact on the species. "They based their decision on an outdated report issued by BirdLife, an organisation that is outright against hunt- ing and trapping. That within itself is a biased decision," Perici Calascione claimed. NEWS Jobsplus permit no 219/2018 Malta Air Traffic Services Ltd (MATS), the Air Navigation Service Provider for Malta, invites applications from interested individuals to fill the post of Air Traffic Control Officer Trainees with the Company. Academic Qualifications Applications will be considered from individuals who satisfy the following minimum academic qualifications: • A Matriculation certificate awarded of grade C or higher, or, • 2 A levels and 4 intermediates at grade C or higher, or, • A Higher National Diploma (MQF 5) awarded. Age For licensing purposes applicants for the post of ATCO must be at least 21 years of age by June 2019. Assessment test Applicants who fulfill the academic criteria must attend for an assessment test. This test will be based on the First European ATCO Selection Test (FEAST). Candidates sitting for this assessment will be deemed successful if they obtain an average stanine level 5 or higher and grades of not lower than 4 in any one test. Language proficiency Applicants must attain at least a level 4 in Maltese and English language proficiency as dictated by CAD –TM (the regulator) leading to the qualification of ATCO 1 Medical Fitness Applicants must be medically fit in accordance with regulatory requirements for duty as air traffic controller (Medical Class 3). Medical examinations will be carried out by amedical officer who is duly qualified to certify air traffic controllers. The result of the medical examination conducted by the said medical officer will be final. Interview Successful candidates will proceed for an interview with an interviewing board of selection appointed by the Company. Candidates must succeed in every part of this selection process as any part is considered as a pass/fail module, Probation and Training Applicants who are selected will be engaged by MATS on a definite contract of 15 months during which they will be required to attend and successfully complete the BASIC course and the Rating course. Both courses may be held in Malta or abroad at a training institution selected by MATS. Candidates who quit any one of the courses will be liable to pay MATS the costs incurred for the course. On successful completion of the Basic and Rating course, candidates will undergo a period of on-the-job training, followed by a Competency Check for the issue of an Air Traffic Control Officer licence. Candidates who are successful in all the phases mentioned above including the Competency Check, will be awarded an indefinite contract and promoted to an Air Traffic Control Officer. Those satisfying the experience and qualification criteria, and who are interested in filling these posts, are to send their application together with their updated curriculum vitae (in pdf format) via email to our H.R. section on vacancies@maltats.com by not later than Sunday the 19th of August 2018. Whilst thanking all interested applicants for the interest shown in this call and our Company, kindly note that this is an extension of the previous call for applications issued earlier this year. Interested parties are invited to visit our careers section on http://maltats.com for a more detailed description of this vacancy. Trappers told October season may not be possible On Friday, members of the FKNK, were told about the ramifications of the ECJ's decision on Malta's trapping season