The protests of the hunters last night in Agios Georgios Square in Paralimni were dynamic. The disgruntled hunters gathered at the event to protest against the exhaustive legislation imposed by the Parliament for the Conservation and Protection of Wild Birds and Prey last June.
In his speech, the Spokesperson of the Coordinating Committee of last night's event stated that hunters demand the same rights as European hunters, while he stated that European activists are undesirable:
Read the speech of Mr. Costas Krassas as it is:
Welcome to Paralimni. This sea of people that has gathered tonight, after what we have watched on the giant screen, is ready to stand up and shout:
• That's enough! We demand our dignity back. We demand equal rights with other Europeans. We finally got out of the corral. Oulamos out of our bedrooms. Yes to the equal rights of Cypriot hunters with Europeans. Activists out of our possessions. Activists from Cyprus out. Protect our National Security. Yes to tradition.
These are our deceptions and those who listen to us should take us into account. Listen to the grandparents who refer to "peacock". We will not allow it. It is enough to ask for our vote only before the elections. This gathering proves that we are united. This rally shows who will determine the outcome of the upcoming elections.
1. Recently, the new legislation on hunting was passed, where fees have been set for the use of a dog in hunting, fees for the exit of dogs for training. 2 dogs were determined to be able to accompany their owner on every hunting trip. How can one pay to use one's hound? Why is there discrimination between hunting and other dogs? Why have they discriminated against other animals that coexist with humans? We do not accept it!
2. Every year during such a period, the criminal phenomenon of placing nests in the habitats occurs, as a result of which we have the loss of dogs. We will not look at the reasons why this abominable phenomenon is happening at this time. It must be fought immediately. The culprits must be punished by example.
3. Every year we witness a road race to determine the places and time we are entitled to train our dogs. By whose right can someone limit the space or time we spend with our most loyal friends in nature? We have the sensitivity, we have the experience and we have a passion for this sport, which we all adore sickly, to judge when and where to train our dogs. We do not accept it!
4. Pursuant to recent legislation, the possession and use of a mimetic device is prohibited. According to the above provision, the law enforcement agencies have the right to report any of us because there is a radio in his vehicle. He has the right to search our home and report us, because we have a stereo or MP3 or MP4 or any other device in the house. He has the right to report us because we have a mobile phone, since it can reproduce the voice of prey. No, gentlemen, you do not have the right to complain to us because a mistake was made in the legislation.
5. We consider the penalty imposed for the use of a mimetic device when hunting migratory birds to be outrageous. A distinction must be made between endemic and migratory hunting. We want the same European right!
6. One of the key principles of the European Acquis, including hunters, is that all citizens have an equal right to hunt all migratory prey. This is the reason why spring hunting has been banned, where birds start migrating to go to nesting places and to reproduce. But did anyone take into account that this unfortunate country is located in the easternmost part of Europe? Did anyone take into account that we are almost out of the bird migration routes and that we can not equally hunt the birds that other hunters enjoy?
7. The cultural heritage of each Member State shall be protected as a pupil of Europe. A recent example is the restoration of the monastery of Apostolos Andreas where the European acquis was implemented in a part of our island that is not part of Europe. Gentlemen, the xovergo, which has been proven to be part of our heritage, can not be denied the right to make and possess it: Gentlemen, you cannot consider that the xovergo is a means of mass hunting and with this pretext be classified as outlaws! Gentlemen, you can not submit to the requirements of every environmental organization and harass the owners of scavengers! A solution must be found immediately.
8. The vine bird (black-headed, black-headed) is described in the official literature as a bird for which there is no concern in relation to its population. It migrates only 40% of the countries it nests and only a minimal percentage of it passes through Cyprus during the migration period. Its main enemies are always mentioned in the literature, some species of predators, rodents and cats. The percentage that the above species remove from the population is 10%. If one considers that in the years when people could set up barges and the fight against rodents and wild cats in pergolas was systematic and methodical, one realizes how reduced the numbers of rodents and cats that one encountered in the areas that presented interesting. The predator, on the other hand, using only a small number of rodents, as a means of hunting, can not reap even 0,5% of the percentage that passes through the island. Also Sykallia as we call it, you only eat fruit so it can be considered harmful. That is why gentlemen can find ways to continue the Tradition that they so desperately want to break.
A basic principle of trade states that the lower the supply of a product in relation to increased demand, the higher the price. This was one of the main reasons why the legislator, in his wisdom, tried to crack down on the trafficking of vines by imposing very high extrajudicial penalties. This effort could be achieved in the sense that the ULM's crackdown on MMAD would focus on the predatory network users and not on the elderly who were accused of 6- and 9-year-olds, because that is what the activists demanded. Gentlemen, finally listen to the request of the people for the preservation of tradition. Finally listen to the request to find a permanent solution to this issue. There are ways!
9. In all countries of the world where environmental organizations intend to make observations, they apply to the competent authorities and after examining the individuals and the purpose, the appropriate approvals are given. In our country, a semi-occupied country, in the last 2 years there has been absolutely no control of the individuals of these organizations located on our island. Nobody knows where they are moving, what they are recording or how they are recording it. Through a short trip on the internet we were surprised to find that their activity is expanding throughout the island. Yes gentlemen, you heard right, all over the island. From the free to the occupied territories and to the British bases. They have mapped the whole of Cyprus and transmit all the information electronically wherever they want around the world. It is a shame, gentlemen. In a country facing occupation troops, let them move unchecked. Who can guarantee that they do not carry information that could harm our National Security? Who can guarantee that they are not criminals?
We are supposed to have the right to own property, to use it freely and to protect our personal data. How are these principles protected when they circulate on our property for at least 3 months, without our consent. They record our movements, without our consent. They control our premises, without our consent. They use state-of-the-art electronic recording media without anyone controlling them.
After the last blow that these people received from the crisis of 2013, they slowly began to find their way again. The beginning was made by the golden hen of the economy, tourism. An area we should be watching like our own eyes. Instead, you let the activists slander us rudely and with such audacity that it provokes outrage. Why, gentlemen of the Ministry of Trade and Tourism, do you allow, for so many months, to have huge signs posted on the main roads where the Cypriot is presented as a criminal? Why do you allow them to do so much damage?
We request:
1. Amend the law on hunting so that the number of dogs that the hunter will be entitled to get on the hunt will increase to 4 from the current 2.
2. Permanent regulation on the issue of hunting dogs.
3. Amend the law on hunting so that the fees for the use and training of hunting dogs are abolished.
4. Establishment of an independent MMAD squad which will report directly to the Chief of Police and which will deal exclusively with the fight against poaching of endemic and wild game. Properly staffed so that it can effectively control habitats on an ongoing basis and combat the phenomenon of hunting dog deaths from nesting. The fight against migrant poaching should be transferred to another police station.
5. Amend the law on hunting so that only the use of a mimetic device during hunting is punished and not the possession. Also as the penalty is reduced to € 100 instead of the current € 500.
6. Amend the law on hunting so that the possession of roosters is allowed as part of our cultural heritage. Regarding this use it will be allowed under restrictions and will not be punished.
7. Transfer of Sykalia (black-headed / black-headed) to a separate list which will include non-prey for species that do not pose a risk of declining populations. Establish a penalty per prey that will prevent trafficking and maintain delivery.
8. Immediate start of consultations to secure, by way of derogation, the right to regain spring turtle hunting.
9. Immediate termination of the presence of activists in Cyprus until specific terms and conditions for their actions are determined. Immediate removal of the defamatory signs placed by these organizations on the highways.
10. Initiation of an investigation by the investigating authorities for any offenses by the action of members of the activist organizations and claiming compensation for the financial damage they caused to the local economy and the image of the country abroad.
Friends and friends,
We inform the state and our politicians that this world is not going to stop fighting for justice unless all our demands are met. We emphasize all our requests. This is the 1st majestic gathering. We believe that there will be no need for others to convince us of our reasoned demands. We will mobilize with those who will listen to us but at the same time we will reject those who ignore us.
Our proposals should be implemented by the beginning of the endemic hunt in 2017. Otherwise, it is determined from now on that our next, larger, gathering will take place outside the Parliament. We also call on all of you to refuse to renew their party identities, until our demands are met, as the first reaction.
Famagusta has been electing the president of this state for a long time. Next January you will elect the next president.