The European Commission has closed two infringement procedures against Malta, one concerning spring hunting and the other one relating to the closure of the Marsa power station. The formal decision was taken in today’s College of Commissioners and will be announced tomorrow.

In July 2006, the Commission had opened procedures against the Maltese Government in July 2006 after it had decided that Malta was not respecting the conditions for a derogation from the Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds.  Two years later, the Commission had opened a case against Malta in the Court of Justice which, in September 2009, had ruled against Malta but recognised that spring hunting for quails and turtledoves was not a satisfactory alternative to autumn hunting.

The Commission’s decision takes into consideration an extensive report about the spring hunting season in 2014 which was submitted by the Maltese Government to the Commission, wherein a detailed account was given of the institutional, legal, administrative and enforcement improvements implemented by the Maltese authorities.

Sources close to the Ministry for European Affairs and Implementation of the Manifesto said that the closure of this infringement procedure was a vindication of the Government’s policy which, whilst ensuring rspect for Malta’s obligations, allowed Maltese hunters to enjoy a traditional sport without excessive regulations.  Maltese hunters have benefited from hunting on Sundays and public holidays, a change in fees, and the removal of armbands.

The Commission’s decision on the Marsa power station infringement, which had been opened in February 2012, was taken after the Maltese Government wrote to the Commission informing it that the last unit in the power station had been switched off, as well as that the interconnector between Sicily and Malta had become operational on 9 April.

These same sources said that this also showed the commitment of the Maltese Government to cleaner energy production, so that Malta could reach its objectives under environmental regulations, as well as ensure that the Maltese people’s health would not be threatened by air pollution.

Meanwhile, however, the Commission is expected to announce two reasoned opinions, one about finch trapping and the other about the Bank Recovery and Resolution Directive.  The sources said that Malta will in due course reply to the Reasoned Opinions, but the Government was confident that the reasoned opinion about the BRRD would be closed reasonably early given that the necessary legislation has already been presented in Parliament.