The Lincolnshire Bird Club

Please help us stop the massacre of migrants on Malta today . Click on 'What You Can Do and make a difference

Ultimately it affects all our birding -- take a few minutes to do something positive

http://www.chrispackham.co.uk/

Has everybody fallen off the planet? I really hope folk follow this up, it has been a medieval activity for too long and no one seems to listen.
Do nothing and nothing will certainly happen!

Here is an email I have just sent the Malta Tourist Authority "I am 55 years old and holiday abroad three times a year. Thirty five years ago I pledged never to visit Malta until the massacre of migrant birds had stopped. I thought when Malta joined the EU things would change but I gather birds are still being slaughtered.I discourage all my family and friends from visiting Malta too. Could you let me know when you expect to have your criminal element under control so I can plan a visit to your country."

It's a sad sad situation and I daresay many birders have not been to Malta. Why don't we all tell them why not.

Hear hear, all the birders/naturalists from all the counties. I vented my spleen to the authorities years ago but who am I, just one voice so I really hope this catches on because Malta would without doubt be a fantastic birding destination.

Hi Graham.
I mailed 5 MEP's & local MP to speak out on my behalf on this issue, this is the 1st reply from an MEP. (Long. but worth reading)

Any thoughts on his solution? = "More powers for EU".

"Dear Derick
Thanks for the email.
I have joined my voice to the many others who are very concerned about this..
Why does the European Commission do nothing to stop it, you ask ?
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 and 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.
So, all successive Commissioners can do is to write to the Maltese government and remind them of their promises and their obligation of all laws.
Unfortunately, all member states cheat - including the UK - so in my opinion we need to give Brussels “federal” powers to step in and enforce from the centre, just as Obama can in the USA. Would you agree with that ?
All good wishes for Easter Monday.
Bill"

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

So the commission has now powers, well a drop in holiday revenues would make them sort it out themselves.

As a proportion of overall tourism income, how significant would the loss be if all birders boycotted Malta?

If there were no visiting birders coming home with first hand evidence of the slaughter then the hunters would probably be able to go about their business unwatched and unhindered.

I think we need to continue to encourage visits to Malta, to support the birding community out there, document the activities first hand and collate tangible evidence to lobby MEP's etc.

The situation in Cyprus got media coverage in the UK birding press and involvement from UK conservation organisations due to a few Brit birding tourists a few years ago.

Kev

The UK is pretty much wildlife mad. All sorts of non birding folk watch all these nature programmes and fret madly if someone even scratches a badger. Imagine how they will feel if they are made aware of these Maltese goings on!
However, far be it from me to claim to be a politician or diplomat capable of knowing what's best to sort this out, you may well be right Kev.

MEP's have raised this and similar issue associated with killing birds in the EU but its down to individual counties to police the issues in each of the 28 EU countries.

I'm advised to write direct to Maltese high commissioner (address below) to address this disgraceful annual spring massacre.
So get the notepad out guys!

Send to:
His Excellency Mr. Norman Hamilton

High Commissioner for Malta

Malta High Commission

Malta House

36-38 Piccadilly, London

W1J 0LE

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer

Hi Kev, someone needs to bear witness to whats going on in Malta and I gather from Twitter that Bird Life staff are doing a grand job doing that, even getting arrested the other day over a Little Bittern shooting. The only way Maltese people will crackdown on the illegal shooting is if they come to understand they are losing money by it and services, principally tourism, make up 81% of their economy. Maybe a formal boycott would make them more aware. Not sure how much RSPB is getting this across to them but with their membership you'd think Malta would take notice. Perhaps its time for the EBU (European birding union!)

I wonder if we (normal tourists) in the UK could somehow boycott Malta for just one year, I bet that's all it would need?

As they say, every little helps but this is not easily solved. I listened to Joe Sultana from Birdlife, Malta at a BTO Ringing Conference some 12 or so years ago. He gave a graphic account of the outrageous slaughter of thousands of birds but also the perils faced by those who tried to stop it. Hunting is inherent in the psyche of many Maltese and they will do everything to continue and these include people from all walks of life including politicians and law enforcement agencies. Even 12 years ago Joe's house had been fired bombed and his vehicle destroyed on two occasions just because he spoke out against hunting and tried to prevent illegal acts. I think the best way forward is increased efforts by the likes of Birdlife International to educate the hunters. From what Joe said then I didn't think a holiday boycott would affect them one little bit.

The starting point for addressing this issue must be to first admit to ourselves that the vast majority of EU never mind UK resident, either don't know, or don't really care about wildlife or the environment on the planet, never mind Malta!!!
No offence meant peeps but I did wonder how many UK birders actually take time out to write, sign or email their MP, MEP a petition, or the Maltese 'High Commissioner' about this issue?

I found the answer today while out birding my local patch in Notts. When a 32 seater bus full of birders arrived at the viewpoint.
Where I overheard a conversation between the birders about Malta & Chis Packham's message on Twitter regarding taking action to stop the spring bird massacre.

Many thought the Maltese government will never stop the hunters shooting birds.

Amazingly at least half of the 32 birders didn't appear to know much about the annual spring massacre in Malta.

Only 2 had signed a petition and only 1 had followed Chris Packhams Twitter link to help stop the hunters!

The most important question amongst these birders was not Malta but the location of a pub that served food.

_________________
Regards.
Del.

To err is human. To really louse things up takes a computer