The newly appointed regulator overseeing wild birds has come under scrutiny after comments made in a 2025 film resurfaced, in which he referred to BirdLife as “extremist.”
The remarks were made during an interview featured in the documentary last year, where the individual criticized the environmental NGO’s stance on hunting and conservation policy. At the time he was not in a public regulatory role, but the comments have now drawn attention following his appointment to head the wild birds unit.
Government officials said the appointment was based on professional experience and knowledge of wildlife management, and that the regulator is expected to carry out duties impartially in line with national and EU law. They added that all stakeholders, including NGOs, hunters, and conservation groups, will be consulted as part of the regulatory process.
BirdLife Malta responded by expressing concern over the language used and said it raises questions about the ability to work constructively with civil society. The organization stated that it remains committed to evidence-based conservation and to protecting wild bird species, and called for assurances that regulatory decisions will be made objectively.
The issue has sparked debate about tone and trust between regulators and environmental groups, particularly on a topic that has long been contentious in Malta. Supporters of the appointment argue that differing views should not disqualify someone from public service, while critics say the language used reflects a bias that could affect policy implementation.
The wild birds regulator has not issued a new statement on the matter, but the government has said it expects all appointees to uphold the law and engage with all parties professionally as the new regulatory framework moves forward.
