BirdLife has called on the government to announce the proposals to the new hunting laws before legislating and this in order to ensure enough time for consultation.

The NGO has called on the Environment Minister to make the proposed changes available for review by all stakeholders including the Ornis Committee to ensure the changes are in line with the Birds Directive.

BirdLife said it had proposed a number of changes to strengthen the hunting laws in favour of the environment and included provisions that would enable the public to reclaim the countryside, which, it said, has become the exclusive property of hunters and trappers.

These changes include a ban on hunting within 200 metres of the coastline in view of the recreational and touristic importance of these areas, a ban on the importation of firearms that are capable of firing more than three rounds, an increase in the fines for second or major offences, the confiscation of firearms for shooting protected birds and a restriction on hunting in September afternoons to protect birds of prey.

"The government should stop playing into the hands of the hunting lobby. We need to move forward, not backward. Whether our elected representatives will succumb to the same old threats by hunters or act in the best interest of the public remains to be seen," BirdLife president Joseph Mangion said.