Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1496971
NEWS 5 maltatoday | WEDNESDAY • 12 APRIL 2023 MATTHEW AGIUS A judge has rejected a request to include a prominent hunt- ing association as a party to proceedings over an injunction filed by BirdLife Malta, aimed at preventing the opening of the contentious spring hunting season. In a decree handed down on Tuesday, the First Hall of the Civil Court, presided by Mr. Justice Giovanni Grixti denied the FKNK's application to be introduced as a party to the case, as the organisation did not control the opening of the hunting season. "Whilst the applicant asso- ciation of hunters has an in- terest in the outcome of thes proceedings, the request for the issuing of the warrant, in and of itself, excludes the as- sociation's participation be- cause it has no power to open the opening or otherwise of the hunting season at issue." The judge, however, upheld the FKNK's request to shorten the legal time frame for hear- ing the case, bringing the date of the sitting forward by four days to April 14. BirdLife Malta had filed the request for an injunction against the Maltese govern- ment, to prevent it from issu- ing the legal notice required to open the spring hunting season for Turtle-dove, a species clas- sified as vulnerable. The request, signed by law- yers Dr Claire Bonello and Dr Martin Farrugia, was provi- sionally upheld by Mr Justice Giovanni Grixti. A similar warrant of prohib- itory injunction was filed last year by BirdLife, but had been filed after the publication of the legal notice that year. Since that 2022 request, the Maltese government has re- ceived direct communication from the European Commis- sioner for Environment, along with a new infringement pro- cess that was initiated by the European Commission against Malta, with regards to the spring hunting season for the Turtle-dove. These warnings were issued in view of the fact that the vulnerable status of the Tur- tle-dove does not allow for any derogation from the EU's Birds Directive's ban on hunting this species in spring. BirdLife is insisting that Mal- tese law cannot go against the EU's Directives. The Strategy and Implementation Division (EU Funds) within the Ministry for the Economy, European Funds and Lands Notice of a Public Consultation The Director-General, Strategy and Implementation Division (EU Funds) within the Ministry of the Economy, European Funds and Lands, informs the general public and stakeholders of a request for a public consultation regarding Malta's REPowerEU initiatives as part of the Recovery and Resilience Facility (RRF) for Malta. The Document can be accessed through the following website address https://fondi.eu/programme/recovery-and-resilience-plan/ or by obtaining a copy from the from the Strategy and Implementation Division, European Funds Section, 32, House of Catalunya, Marsamxett Road, Valletta, VLT 1850. All interested parties are invited to send their proposals, suggestions and comments by sending an email on the email address fondi.eu@gov.mt or by submitting feedback by post addressed to the Strategy and Implementation Division, European Funds Section, 32, House of Catalunya, Marsamxett Street, Valletta, VLT 1850. Submissions can be sent until 17:00hrs CEST on Friday, 21 April 2023 Late proposals will not be considered. Judge rejects FKNK request to join BirdLife's spring hunting injunction case Judge Giovanni Grixti denied FKNK's application to be party to the case as the lobby group has no control over the opening of the hunting season GDA of Victoria Gozo is urgently looking for a TECHNICAL WORKER for the repairs and installation of large domestic appliances. Applicants must be in possession of a driving license and be able to speak English or Maltese. Email CV : gdatrade@gmail.com