Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/825117
maltatoday, WEDNESDAY, 17 MAY 2017 MATTHEW AGIUS THE absence of electoral pro- posals about the environment by the leaders of Malta's two biggest political parties has drawn the ire of NGO Bird- Life Malta, which published a comprehensive 13-page list of proposals aimed at protecting the environment. The proposals include the stopping of construction pro- jects in ODZ sites, the setting up of a wildlife crime unit in the police force, incentivis- ing "green roofs," introducing compulsory waste separation at home and a reduction in pesticide use. In a statement issued yester- day afternoon, BirdLife said that instead of focusing on protecting the environment, Joseph Muscat and Simon Busuttil are trying to garner votes from trappers and hunt- ers. "It seems that in 2017 both the Labour Party and the Na- tionalist Party, who are both hoping to govern our country, are more concerned about the pastime of killing and trap- ping birds than about telling us how they plan to safeguard our natural environment." This week, the organisation presented a list of 10 electoral proposals to all political par- ties. BirdLife Malta's stand on environmental matters is based on scientific facts and on present legislation with particular regard to the EU Birds Directive and the Habi- tats Directive, BirdLife Malta said in a statement. CEO Mark Sultana stated: "Hunt- ing and trapping in Malta is also regulated by the Birds Directive which is outside the remit and powers of local politicians. While this has to be observed, only scientific facts can justif y derogations, which is why it is a blessing that we are inside the Europe- an Union! Rather than talking about a pastime of killing and trapping birds, politicians should be mature enough to talk about what can be done to benefit our country's natu- ral environment, like reduc- ing waste, land use and ODZ, and pollution; whilst improv- ing habitats and natural re- serves, and access to nature in schools." With respect to the mooted reduction of fines and penal- ties for hunting and trapping infractions, BirdLife Malta insists that this benefits on- ly those who break the law. "Only those who are will- ing to risk breaking the law would be happy with such a promise. Ironically this elec- toral promise comes in a year when there was the highest ever number of protected birds shot in the last four years." The fines were but a second- ary issue, said BirdLife Malta. "The real issue that BirdLife Malta has been continually highlighting is the serious lack of enforcement. Without the presence of environmen- tal NGOs such as BirdLife Malta in the countryside, very few cases are brought to justice. In view of this, it is high time Malta has a govern- ment which is willing to tack- le this seriously by setting up a proper Wildlife Crime Unit within the police force. "BirdLife Malta will keep on working closely with any gov- ernment that is elected for the benefit of our country's natu- ral environment. We would never shy away from voicing criticism when it is neces- sary while continuing to work consistently for the benefit of the common good of Malta and Gozo." News istro BirdLife renews call for wildlife crime unit in pre-election document