Never will go to Malta again...

How awful. Like many we have enjoyed a holiday in Malta. A gentle, safe place. But you are quite right this is barbaric. X

I'm with you there. How awful. Why are they doing this? Are the bird a massive danger to crops? We've had several holidays there but won't be back. Lots of other lovely interesting islands to explore that don't have these cruel policies.

It's one of the most important migratory sites in the world.

Shame on them

Do they eat them?

I have lived in Malta for 34 years and have never understood how these so-called 'hunters' can get any pleasure from killing birds. However, I think you are misinformed as it is illegal to shoot protected species and birds of prey here. I believe it is only quail and turtle doves which are allowed to be shot, not that I condone that in any way.

I voted to stop the senseless killing of birds, but unfortunately, 50.2% of voters did not, so, being a democracy, we have to accept it for now.

I am more disappointed in our politicians of whichever party as they are all too scared of losing the hunters' votes to put a stop to this ghastly 'sport' once and for all. It is indeed a sad day for Malta

Thanks for your vote Bella- it was very close indeed. Thing is, 'normal' Maltese can't even go and enjoy the countryside or walk their dog, etc- due to the hunters.

As you well know, an awful lot of illegal hunting of very rare birds of prey and songbirds is also done- Chris Packam even witnessed the hunting of roosting very rare birds of prey using torches at night, and also birds like bittern and other waders.

Allowing rednecks to rule a country by sheer intimidation is generally not a good idea. The Maltese have benefited of millions of subsidies from the European Union since they joined- and they can't have their cake and eat it. If they do not wish to abide by EU rules, then all subsidies should stop NOW- especially to farmers who are the hunters too.

What is legal or not seems to matter not a jot to them anyhow.

granjura I appreciate your anger at the birds being hunted.

You suggest that all subsidies to Malta should be stopped.

Have you thought that through --if that happens it would cause great distress to industry and business in Malta, which in turn will affect the lives of ordinary people, including people that do not agree with the hunting.

And if you had you way and subsidies were stopped to Malta, then that would mean that you are putting a higher value on the life of birds over the lives of human beings.

Malta is quite a unique Island and was amazing in the War and helped the UK out immensely, it has the George cross awarded to it.

Mishap no they do not eat them, and forgive me for saying, but that was a bit of an insult to the Maltese people suggesting that they eat them

Actually Parcs if they ate them it would be more understandable

Parcs. Could you enlighten us?

Why are they hunted?

I totally disapprove of shooting of any sort but let's not forget what happens in other countries, e.g.France when "l'ouverture de la chasse" is a day when nobody dare take their dog for a walk in the woods when the hunters take pot shots at anything that moves.
Granjura your remark allowing rednecks to rule a country by sheer intimidation seems gratuitously offensive . Pots and kettles.

The sacrifice Maltese made during WW2 was indeed huge, but it has nothing to do with this issue.

People should know that they can't have their cake and eat it. If they do not want to abide by EU rules, then they should not receive the massive subsidies.

Just do not get your point about it being an insult to suggest the Maltese would eat the birds??? As GrannyTwice, says, at least it would make more sense.

Soutra, I do not understand your comment either. Both in FRance, especially in the SW, intimidation by the hunters is well-known, and the same applied to Maltese during the build up to the vote.

Are you truly happy to stop subsidies and effect the lives of ordinary people, if so please do explain how putting the lives of birds above those of humans, you did not address that comment that I made.

Turtledoves should be a protected species. I am sorry but this is an unacceptable practice. and the country should stand up against it.

Parcs Why is it an insult to suggest the Maltese eat the birds they shoot?

As others have said it would make a lot more sense if they killed them for food rather than just for "sport*.

Parcs, the EU does have some rules that apply to all- it is the people of Malta that have decided that birds are more important than people- their choice. If they do not want to be part of Europe, than they should not get subsidies. Same to belonging to any organisation of clubs- you have to abide by the rules or take the consequences.

Because it is un-civilised to eat those kind of birds and Malta is a very civilised Island

How have the people of Malta decided that birds are more important than people?

So they shoot them for sport then?

I think it is the word rednecks that I am not comfortable with. I also think that until a country such as France gets its hunting fraternity under control, is the European Union in a position to penalise Malta?
It is appalling and no way am I trying to make excuses, just saying countries like France might put their own house in order.

yes they shook them for sport as in the UK when fox's were hunted

Exhausted birds on a long migration looking for a breather?

Absolutely no connection with foxhunting.

granula saying you will never go to Malta again due to the Hunting is crazy, Uk have hunted poor old Fox's for years