Birds Directive

The head of the EU Representation in Malta, Joanna Drake, has joined the blogosphere here. In her first blog entry she discusses Malta's obligation to enforce the Birds Directive:

The problem centers not so much on whose side to come down on- hunters or environmentalists- but on the wider – and far more reaching - issue of an EU member state’s legal obligation to comply with laws drafted after years of deliberation and enacted by the Council of Ministers and the European Parliament. Malta was one of the latest member countries to join the EU. That does not exclude us from complying. The package Malta signed to before accession in 2004 included the Birds directive. This carries a prohibition on Spring hunting. Each member state can ask for a derogation under clause 9. There was no exemption negotiated for Malta. Malta could have applied granted the condition tied to the derogation could be satisfied.

But the point at issue is exactly this: did Malta satisfy the conditions attached to the derogation? The Commission does not believe so. Is there an argument to be made by Malta for allowing hunting in the Spring ? Perhaps. If the case were ever to go to court Malta will have enough time to make its position clear.