Letter to my MP, Andy Sawford

Mark 8 Comments

Dear Andy

 

I’m a bit late with this letter but I’d like to thank you for the way you have dealt with previous ones.

In the run up to the EU elections on 22 May I’m sure we are all thinking about the UK’s place in Europe.  You have probably noticed the coverage of Chris Packham’s visit to Malta where he publicised the disgusting nature of the Spring hunting of migrant birds on this EU Mediterranean island.

When Malta joined the EU 10 years ago it signed up to the rules of the EU – including those relating to wildlife law.  Preventing the illegal killing of protected migratory birds as they pass through Malta is an absolute necessity under the EU Birds Directive and yet Spring hunting, including of protected species, continues as a widespread sport in Malta.

Malta is a net beneficiary, financially, of being an EU member.  The UK is a net donor to the EU budget.  I object to my taxes going to prop up the Maltese economy when the Maltese government has been so ineffective in protecting its, my and Europe’s migratory birds.

I would be grateful if you could write to William Hague at the FCO and ask:

  • does the FCO agree that Malta’s breaking of the provisions of the EU Birds Directive is unacceptable?
  • what steps is the British High Commission in Malta taking to express the displeasure and revulsion of the British people at the slaughter of migrant birds on Malta?
  • what steps is the British government taking to press the EU Commission to take all measures to make Malta comply with wildlife legislation if it is to remain a net recipient of EU funding?

I’ll be very interested to hear the FCO reply given that I have found it impossible to find any UK citizens who are not of the view that the senseless and illegal slaughter of migrant birds on Malta should cease.  I would expect Mr Hague’s reply to take a similar line.

 

best wishes

 

Mark

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8 Replies to “Letter to my MP, Andy Sawford”

  1. One of my MEP’s has replied to me very quickly (Lib Dem in case anyone is interested)

    I have already joined my voice to the many others who are very concerned about this behaviour in Malta.
    Why does the European Commission do nothing to stop it, you wonder ? Because the Commission has no powers to do that. There is no EU FBI police or EU courts or EU army which can go to Malta and impose correct behaviour.
    As the EU (still being developed and built) stands so far, the 28 separate member states have refused to give Brussels any powers of enforcement of the promises which the member states make.
    At present, all responsibility for enforcement of laws rests entirely with the 28 separate national governments.

    I asked further “Are there not financial penalties that the EU can impose? what grants do they get for environmental protection?”

    Yes there are, but to do that would take a majority vote in favour among the other 27 national governments. And they would not like to set such a precedent, because each of them might find themselves in the same dock and also facing the threat of fines from Brussels. So all the national governments gang up and protect each other from sanctions.

    1. Terry – how funny. Clearly you are bringing Malta cookies to the site. That’s what affects the Da. What a hoot.

  3. In response to Terry,

    This is not the view of Chris Packham. The fact is that the hunters are in a minority in Malta and seeking to squeeze the country as a whole would not help matters. Let us hope that the people who will vote in a referendum soon about the next spring hunting season, will stop it completely.

    The more publicity about the practice, including that being made from outside Malta the better I suspect.

  4. Malta is fully committed that any possible future spring hunting derogations
    will be based on a rigorous assessment of the necessary scientific data and
    will be in line with the strict controls, enforcement and supervision
    required by the Birds Directive and enshrined in Maltese national
    legislation.
    Malta remains committed to its increased efforts in order to ensure strict
    enforcement of the established rules. This commitment is clearly noted
    through the establishment of the Wild Birds Regulation Unit, with in the
    Ministry for Sustainable Development, the Environment and Climate Change.
    The main aim of this Unit is to deal with all aspects of sustainable hunting
    governance.
    In October 2013, the Government implemented a legal reform with regard to
    the enforcement of illegal hunting, doubling the penalties for hunting
    offences. Malta’s legal deterrent against illegal hunting offences may be
    considered to be amongst the harshest regimes in Europe.
    Regards,

    Clint Borg
    First Secretary

    w http://www.mfa.gov.mt/uk
    MALTA HIGH COMMISSION
    Kindly consider your environmental responsibility before printing this
    e-mail 36-38 Piccaddily, London, W1J 0LE

  5. I have now received a response from the second of my three MEPs, Martin Callanan (NE England, Con.). He finishes his response with the statement “Please rest assured that after May’s elections my Conservative colleagues and I shall continue to make sure that this matter is kept on the agenda, and will keep applying pressure to the Maltese Authorities and the European Commission” – let’s hope they do.

    He states that for the Conservatives Julie Girling is taking the lead on the issue and said that he had spoken with her about the issues that I “and many other constituents” had raised. He attached a response from the Maltese Government to a 2013 letter from Ms Girling.

    All of this is encouraging. We need to keep this issue in front of our MEPs so they keep up the pressure on the Maltese government.

    Now I just need a response from the remaining NE England MEP (Lab) – hopefully he will not disappoint…

    1. … whereas my UKIP MEP, Derek Clark says ” Thank you for your message but there is nothing I can do”.

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