ENVIRONMENT

PROACT MALTA

ENVIRONMENT

| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | |

Environmental Protection Department

THE FACTS

[Updates or additional information - from whatever source - is very welcome! doc 01.02.2002]

The Minister for the Environment, Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech, is becoming increasing concerned about illegal hunting and it's effect on the Malta government's image at home and abroad.

Last year Dr. Dimech was the only minister to reply at any length to Proact's concerns. He did however dismiss them with comments such as:

"....it appears you are not well informed on the reforms and improvements registered in the environmental field.."

and

"bird protection .... is only a small segment of this (environmental) issue.."

These dismissive statements, together with the fact that the Prime Minister and the Minister for Tourism (!) delegated their replies to Dr. Dimech shows that the regular slaughter of migrant birds was, at the time, a low government priority.

It is to be hoped that the PM and the Minister for Tourism will include the issue on their personal agendas. Or will the old political tricks of 'passing the buck' and 'sitting it out' prove the more comfortable political option?

[Mails can be 'filtered out' by title if the recipient(s) are being snowed under. Vary the title in the subject box if you have time - and a vivid imagination!]

MAIL TO MINISTER DR DEMICH

DRAFT TEXT - PLEASE MODIFY IN YOUR OWN WORDS OR LANGUAGE
NOTE THE ALTERNATIVE TEXTS IN THE LAST PARAGRAPH!

Not sure what to do? Click on the following link:

Mailing Methods

RELIANCE ON OUTDATED POLICIES WILL NOT BRING THE REQUIRED CHANGE

Dr. Francis Zammit Demich
Minister for the Environment

Dear Dr Demich,

Your stance against illegal hunting is known and appreciated. It is not yet robust enough.

Whilst appreciating that a whole gamut of environmental issues require your attention it is difficult to understand why blatant and illegal activities are tolerated at all. Not only does the failure to tackle this problem perpetuate a steady haemorrhage of European migrant bird populations; the apparent 'carte blanche' granted to those responsible casts doubt on whether the level of environmental consciousness in your government is mature enough for entry into the European Union. This must also cause you concern.

It is surely in the interest of all politicians and intelligent citizens to put an end to the bloody and senseless incidents which are regularly reported in the Maltese and international press. You can play an important part in this process by convincing your cabinet colleagues of the seriousness of the issue and, at the same time, upgrade the value and influence of your ministry. We urge you to do this - sooner rather than later.

We ask you to take our concerns, and all similar letters, seriously. Not all Europeans are capable of expressing themselves perfectly in English; or have the time to compose individual texts; but the content and sentiments of this letter reflect our views entirely.

Yours sincerely,

[Name & Address]

ADDRESS IN FULL:

Dr. Francis Zammit Dimech,
Ministry for the Environment,
Block B
Floriana CMR 02
Malta

email (via): paul.mifsud @magnet.mt

Fon: +356 222378
Fax: +356 243306

If you send an email separately, please copy it to:

PROACT PROJECT MALTA

This helps us at Proact to monitor the scope of the campaign and increase our effectiveness in future.

Thank you,

David Conlin
Proact International