Stqarrija Konġunta mill-FKNK, FACTS u MSSF dwar il-Petizzjoni tal-BirdLife International biex Tipprojbixxi ċ-Ċomb mill-Munizzjoni tal-Kaċċa u l-iSport Shooting
Il-Federazzjoni Kaċċaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti (FKNK), il-‘Federation of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters – Malta’ (FACTS) u l-‘Malta Shooting Sport Federation’ (MSSF) jixtiequ jikkummentaw dwar il-petizzjoni riċenti mnedija mill-BirdLife International li titlob projbizzjoni madwar l-UE kollha fuq iċ-ċomb mill-munizzjon tal-kaċċa u tal-isparar sportiv, kif ukoll mit-tagħmir tas-sajd.
Id-diskussjonijiet dwar projbizzjoni fuq iċ-ċomb madwar l-Unjoni Ewropea ilhom għaddejjin għal numru ta ’snin. Filwaqt li huwa ċar li r-restrizzjonijiet fuq iċ-ċomb se jiġu implimentati meta jkun il-waqt, inizjattivi bħall-petizzjoni ta’ BirdLife International jidhru mfassla biex jikkapitalizzaw fuq dan l-eżitu eventwali aktar milli biex jikkontribwixxu b’mod kostruttiv għall-proċess. Bit-tnedija ta’ kampanja bħal din, issa, huma qegħdin jippożizzjonaw ruħhom biex iħabbru ’rebħa’ pubblika meta inevitabbilment iseħħu l-bidliet leġiżlattivi.
Il-pożizzjoni tal-Federazzjonijiet hija ċara: qabel ma ssir aktar pressjoni fuq il-kaċċa u l-isparar sportiv, l-istituzzjonijiet tal-UE jridu jiżguraw li jitwettqu valutazzjonijiet komprensivi u bbażati fuq ix-xjenza. Dawn l-analiżijiet iridu jevalwaw bir-reqqa l-impatt soċjoekonomiku, il-fattibilita’ prattika u l-kunsiderazzjonijiet ambjentali assoċjati ma’ projbizzjoni fuq iċ-ċomb. Huwa importanti li jiġi rikonoxxut li f’ħafna dixxiplini bħalissa ma hemm l-ebda alternattiva kompletament sodisfaċenti għaċ-ċomb fil-munizzjon li jissodisfa r-rekwiżiti tekniċi, ta’ sikurezza u ta’ prestazzjoni ta’ kull settur.
Fi żviluppi reċenti fil-livell tal-UE l-proposta tal-Kummissjoni Ewropea (KE) għall-projbizzjoni taċ-ċomb skont ir-Regolament REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) issa hija ppubblikata fir-reġistru tal-komitoloġija. F’dan il-kuntest, il-Federazzjonijiet qegħdin jitolbu laqgħa urġenti mar-rappreżentant ta’ REACH f’Malta biex jiddiskutu dan il-fajl, li jħalli impatt sinifikanti fuq l’eluf ta’ membri tal-Federazzjonijiet.
Għaldaqstant, il-Federazzjonijiet iħeġġu lil dawk li jfasslu l-politika biex jirrifjutaw kampanji mmexxija emozzjonalment u minflok jadottaw approċċ ibbilanċjat u bbażat fuq l-evidenza li jqis u jirrispetta l-ħtiġijiet tal-partijiet interessati kollha filwaqt li jiżgura s-sikurezza ambjentali u pubblika. Huwa biss permezz ta’ djalogu trasparenti u fehim realistiku tal-istat attwali tas-suq li kwalunkwe regolament futur jista’ jkun ġust, prattiku u bbażat fuq evidenza xjentifika. Fl-aħħarnett, huwa mifhum li s-sajjieda, kemm rikreattivi kif ukoll kummerċjali, jappoġġjaw din il-pożizzjoni u din it-talba.
Joint Statement by FKNK, FACTS and MSSF on the BirdLife International’s Petition to Ban Lead in Hunting and Sport Shooting
The Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK), the Federation of Arms Collectors and Target Shooters – Malta (FACTS) and the Malta Shooting Sport Federation (MSSF) would like to comment on the recent petition launched by BirdLife International calling for an EU-wide ban on lead in hunting and sport shooting ammunition, as well as fishing tackle.
Discussions on a European Union-wide lead ban have been ongoing for a number of years. While it is clear that restrictions on lead will be implemented in due course, initiatives such as BirdLife International’s petition seem designed to capitalise on this eventual outcome rather than to contribute constructively to the process. By launching such a campaign now, they are positioning themselves to claim a public ‘victory’ when the inevitable legislative changes take place.
The Federations’ position is clear: before any further pressure is placed on hunting and sport shooting, the EU institutions must ensure that comprehensive, science-based assessments are carried out. These analyses must thoroughly evaluate the socio-economic impact, practical feasibility and environmental considerations associated with a lead ban. It is important to recognise that in many disciplines there are currently no fully satisfactory alternatives to lead ammunition that meet the technical, safety and performance requirements of each sector.
In recent developments at EU level the European Commission (EC) proposal to ban lead under the REACH (Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals) Regulation is now published on the comitology register. In this context, the Federations are requesting an urgent meeting with the Malta REACH representative to discuss this file, which significantly impacts the Federations thousands of members.
Therefore, the Federations urge policy makers to reject emotionally driven campaigns and instead adopt a balanced, evidence-based approach that considers and respects the needs of all stakeholders while ensuring environmental and public safety. Only through transparent dialogue and a realistic understanding of the current state of the market can any future regulations be fair, practical and based on scientific evidence. Finally, it is understood that fishermen, both recreational and commercial, support this position and request.