Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/163731
6 News maltatoday, SUNDAY, 1 SEPTEMBER 2013 Before the massacre: 'Irregular Farrugia warns hunters to abide by the rules JURGEN BALZAN PARLIAMENTARY Secretary Jose AUTUMN is synonymous with the migration of hundreds of birds of prey over the Maltese Islands. Hunters in Malta and Gozo are renowned for shooting protected birds of prey. Minister Leo Brincat shocked environmentalists when he revoked a ban on afternoon shooting in September, a measure introduced by former Ornis committees to curb illegal hunting by imposing a moratorium. Yesterday Lino Farrugia, the hunters' federation chief, said it has no time to waste in condemning illegal hunting and instead it "instigated" its members to do their "utmost" to report fellow hunters who breach the law. In a statement issued yesterday the Federation for Hunting & Conservation wished its members "a good autumn/winter hunting season, which opens tomorrow." The autumn season is renowned for the numerous illegalities carried out by Maltese and Gozitan hunters who do not discriminate between game and protected species. Hundreds of protected birds of prey are expected to be shot down Farrugia said that "Maltese and Gozitan hunters cannot continue to bear the consequences of the acts of irresponsible persons that are being used to tarnish hunting both within our shores as well as in Europe and globally." The FKNK said it warned its members that illegalities that may occur during the open season will not be tolerated and said it would take drastic disciplinary action "within Lino Farrugia hit out at the media for sensationalising episodes of illegal hunting which at times were "unsubstantiated" its power" against any member who is found in serious breach of hunting regulations – to the point of membership revocation. Without membership, hunting licence renewal is not permissible. "The time has therefore come for the good to stand tall and defend himself by doing everything in his power to ensure the bad is apprehended and eradicated. This is the only way that hunting can Leo Brincat revoked a ban on shooting in the afternoon regain the accepted social status it enjoyed not so long ago. These criminals have to be aware that they will not only not find shelter in the FKNK, but that they will find it unreservedly against them to the extent that the FKNK will be their worst enemy." The hunters' federation added that it "will not waste time in condemnations and is hereby instigating its thousands of members who abide by current regulations to do their utmost to ensure that any person responsible for any criminal act related to shooting be brought to justice. No one is suffering more than the legal hunters themselves each time a case concerning any violation of hunting regulations is reported." Finally Farrugia hit out at the media for sensationalising episodes of illegal hunting, which at times were "unsubstantiated." "One recent example is the manner by which a report concerning a protected species, albeit very common in the wild, was referred to as 'super-protected' – a non-existent term in any legislation or taxon classification." However, FKNK admitted that whenever a protected bird is shot, there is a shotgun involved, invariably linked to hunting. "Thus, in the eye of the general public and in that of the less experienced person, all hunters are classified as bad.' The FKNK said that it expects the Police Corps to act wisely and in a correct and fair manner with everyone. It also urged its members to assist the police in their duties and to report any illegalities they may observe from their fields directly to the police authorities on 21224001. Reports can be made anonymously by any FKNK member as well as by the general public, the federation noted. Herrera yesterday said that he had ordered the cancellation of an "irregular" contract awarded by the St Julian's local council to construction magnate and PN donor Nazzarenu Vassallo. A MaltaToday report published on Sunday 25 August led to the annulment of the decision taken by the St Julian's council to award a €13 million public-private project to CareMalta without issuing a tender and without granting bidders the right to appeal. The parliamentary secretary for culture and local government said that the St Julian's council's decision was invalidated because the criteria and process for the expression of interest were never established in accordance with the law and it did not grant a right of appeal to the bidders. "The St Julian's local council had no right to adjudicate the project because the process was not approved by the local government department. The lack of transparency raised suspicions, and suspicions undermine the credibility of our democratic institutions," Herrera said. Addressing the press in a press conference at the Manoel Theatre, Herrera confirmed that the his secretariat and the Department for Local Government were only made aware of the adjudication after reading MaltaToday's report. Last week, MaltaToday revealed that CareMalta, a private elderly care provider owned by construction magnate and well-known PN donor and activist Nazzarenu Vassallo, was set to become the PN-dominated St Julian's local council's partner in the construction of a home for the elderly. Vassallo's company was one of three bidders which applied for the expression of interest published by the council in July, however following a decision taken on 19 August, CareMalta was the only company in the running for the project. "I asked for the contract adjudication to be revoked because the process was irregular and breached the principles of natural justice. The adjudication process overseen by the St Julian's local council was more of a beauty contest, especially since the bidders were not granted a right to appeal," Herrera said. Silvio Zammit in surprise meeting at police HQ Silvio Zammit THE case against Silvio Zammit involving former EU commissioner John Dalli may face a new twist. Zammit was seen entering the police HQ, together with his lawyer, Edward Gatt. When asked to comment on this episode, Zammit declined. But MaltaToday can confirm that Zammit was not interrogated or under arrest. This newspaper is informed that the police appear to be re-examining aspects of the case and looking at new evidence that has surfaced in recent weeks. It is not known whether the new evidence will lead to any new developments or changes in arraignments. However MaltaToday is informed that the police are also revisiting contacts that were originally made between the former commissioner of police and OLAF late last year.