No fee on protected stuffed birds

The Malta Environment and Planning Authority has denied that people applying to register protected stuffed birds had been asked for any payment.

The Mepa said it felt the need to issue a clarification following a leaflet distributed by one of the hunters' organisations in which it was reported that hunters were being asked to make such a payment.

Last Monday the authority started to receive applications for the registration of protected stuffed birds on forms that can be collected from local councils, hunters' organisations and the Mepa offices.

Those who register their protected stuffed birds by May 31 will be issued with a certificate from the director for the protection of the environment and no action will be taken against them.