MaltaToday Rates etc.

€0.90 WEDNESDAY EDITION WWW.MALTATODAY.COM.MT EDITORIAL Page 11 WEDNESDAY • 14 AUGUST 2013 • ISSUE 327 • PUBLISHED EVERY WEDNESDAY AND SUNDAY CHANGES IN HUNTING CURFEW WILL LEAD TO BIRD MASSACRE A legal notice by the new Labour government has practically removed a hunting curfew, extending it from 3pm to 7pm between 15 and 30 September. The change will lead to the massacre of hundreds of protected of birds of prey. The decision was criticised by BirdLife Malta. Executive Director Steve Micklewright said, "Media revealed that the government's new Wild Birds Regulation Unit was be- ing staffed by hunting sympathisers last week. Today's decision clearly shows what happens when you put hunters in charge of bird conservation." Describing the decision as a "licence for the illegal killing of protected birds", Micklewright said. "This decision clearly shows that bird conservation on Malta is not best served by the new Wild Birds Regulation Unit under the Parlia- mentary Secretary for Agriculture, Fisheries and Animal Rights." The curfew was originally introduced by the previous government because of the difficulties in stopping large-scale shooting of birds of prey. Birds of prey migrate from Sicily and reach the Maltese Islands after 3pm. Leo Brincat and Roderick Galdes are, respectively, the minister and junior minister responsible for the environment. They have claimed that the curfew was "depriving lawabiding hunters from hunting opportunities in the afternoon". But ornithologists have been quick to point out that the migration of species hunted legally in Malta, namely the turtle dove and quail, takes place in the morning. The present, government-appointed Chairman of the Ornis Committee, Louis F Cassar, did not see eye- Leo Brincat and Roderick Galdes will have to deal with bad press upon the expected September massacre of birds of prey to-eye with BirdLife Malta before his appointment. As a sop to the environmental groups, the ministry said it would recognise the need to strengthen enforcement and safeguard the passage of protected birds of prey through ensuring additional protection during the time when roosting birds are most vulnerable. SEE REACTIONS PAGE 10 Santa Marija: one-third to flock to the beaches, but one-fourth of under-34s will be working spondents with a tertiary education and younger respondents (18 to 34 years old). In fact, 14% of persons with a university education and 15% of those with a post-secondary education will be working. It is clear that these are mainly younger respondents. In fact, 24% of those under 35 will be working. Respondents with a university education are the most likely to spend their holiday abroad. On the other hand, respondents with a secondary education are the most likely to spend their holiday in a flat or farmhouse in Gozo. University-educated respondents are more likely to stay in a hotel in Gozo. Secondary- and primary-educated respondents are also more likely to take a day trip, avoiding the cost of accommodation. Feasts are popular for all the respondents, but slightly more for the secondary- and primary-educated ones. In a sign that feasts are far from a dying tradition, CONTINUES ON PAGE 3 Where do you intend to spend the Santa Marija holiday? According to age* 18-34 35-54 55+ Beach 33 36.4 21.7 At home 22 27.7 53.5 Work 23.7 10.9 3 Feast 10.5 8 7.8 Abroad 4.1 5.8 5.3 A flat/farmhouse in Gozo 4.6 5 4.3 A hotel in Gozo 2.4 2.6 1.6 A day trip to Gozo/ Comino 1.1 2.5 0.6 A hotel in Malta 0 1.7 0.6 Caravan site 1 1.5 1.7 Other 4.3 3 4.5 Don't know 6.5 4.5 4.1 *Totals do not add to 100%, as some respondents mentioned more than one All 35.4 33 13.9 8.4 5.5 4.8 2.4 1.4 1.6 1.6 4 4.7 option. Newspaper post THE most popular way to spend the Santa Marija holiday is to enjoy the sea and sun at the beach. Only 6% will be going abroad, while 9% will cross the channel to spend their holiday in Gozo. The beach is most popular with middle-aged respondents and secondary-educated respondents. A majority of elderly respondents (over 55 years) will be spending the holiday at home, while 3% will be at work. The most likely to work on the Santa Marija feast day are re-

• Cover