Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/584253
JURGEN BALZAN 89 MEPs have officially asked European Environment Com- missioner Karmenu Vella to take urgent action against the Maltese government for breaking EU laws to allow trapping and spring hunt- ing of Europe's migrating birds. At a press conference in the Eu- ropean Parliament in Strasbourg on Saturday, British liberal MEP Catherine Bearder said: "The birds which are shot and trapped in Malta, against EU rules, belong to all of Europe and to Africa. That makes this a European issue and the Commission should act accordingly." Last month, the European Com- mission announced they are tak- ing the Maltese government to court for allowing finch trapping. In the letter, MEPs urged former Labour minister Vella to apply urgent interim measures so that finch trapping is banned for the duration of this case at the Euro- pean Court of Justice (ECJ). The trapping season is expected to open on 20 October. Dutch MEP Stefan Eck added that "the Maltese government cannot continue to f lout EU laws in this way. Commissioner Vella is under a duty to ensure that the rules of the EU are complied with." The letter was sent by BirdLife Malta and 89 MEPs from 23 member states including EP Vice-President Ulrike Lunacek (Greens) and Chair of the EP en- vironment committee, Giovanni La Via (EPP). The MEPs called for the open case on song thrush and golden plover trapping to be heard at the ECJ together with finch trapping, thus dealing with both of Malta's derogations on trapping together. Moreover, the MEPs drew Vel- la's attention to the recent inclu- sion of turtle doves on the IUCN Red List of threatened birds, say- ing that the species could become extinct within our lifetime, and asked for new infringement pro- ceedings to be taken against the Maltese government should they continue to allow this endangered bird to be shot in spring. "The Nature Directives are the cornerstone of Europe's nature protection policy," Bearder said. "The European Commission must act to ensure that these laws are adhered to across all Member States, and Malta is no excep- tion." The signatories also expressed concern that several countries were spending money, often EU funds, to protect these birds and their habitats while the Maltese government was allowing them to be trapped or shot in spring. maltatoday, SUNDAY, 11 OCTOBER 2015 News FREE ENTERTAINMENT FOR ALL P leasures and treasures abound! Our seafaring, corsair themed month of activities are sure to dazzle and entertain. So grab your rogues and scallywags and head to Valletta Waterfront! Choose from an array of quality restaurants, bars and shops and take in the stunning Grand Harbour views. Join in the fun and enjoy quality time with family, friends and other rowdy swashbucklers at Valletta Waterfront. www.vallettawaterfront.com/octoberahoy Flat rate parking from €2.50 Icelandic visitor fined after altercation with police at MIA A magistrate yesterday warned a 22-year-old visitor from Iceland to steer clear of alcohol after the man was fined and handed a sus- pended sentence for drunkenly insulting and trying to attack a policeman at the airport on Fri- day. Viktor Arnarsson appeared be- fore magistrate Ian Farrugia this afternoon, charged with breach- ing the peace and public drunk- enness, as well as with disobeying police orders and insulting a po- lice constable during the course of his duties. Prosecuting inspector Silvio Magro told the court that Arnars- son had been stopped by airport security and had demanded to know why. The police were even- tually called and the matter re- solved. An officer told him that he was free to go, but by that stage, he had missed his flight. It is believed that the wiry youth, who suffers from an undisclosed physical disability, had lost his temper and became abusive at that point. The accused has Maltese par- ents and spends up to five months a year on the island. Lawyer Leontine Calleja, ap- pearing as legal aid to the ac- cused, objected to the fact that Arnarsson was charged with "vil- ification, threats or bodily harm against public officers," which has a minimum fine of €800. Calleja pointed out that the accused, who appeared in court with a gauze dressing on his cheek, had evi- dently been the victim of violence and that he should have been made to answer to a lesser charge. "I feel the book is being thrown at the accused, in the circumstanc- es," said the lawyer. The youth chose to plead guilty – allegedly in order to avoid lengthy proceedings in Malta. Magistrate Farrugia handed Arnarsson a one-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, to- gether with an €800 fine, payable in monthly installments from the man's disability pension. "Pay the installments," said the magistrate "because if you think you can get away with not doing so, you are very much mistaken." MEPs tell Vella to 'stop trapping now' Karmenu Vella was told that the Maltese government cannot continue to flout EU laws