FKNK back in Ornis

The Hunters' Federation (FKNK) has decided to return its representation in the Ornis committee as from next January to insist on bird trapping and spring hunting.

Last August FKNK withdrew its representation on the committee in protest over the government's decision to disallow trapping of two bird species beyond the end of the year .

The federation said it had prepared a dossier offering satisfactory solutions on the future of trapping. A meeting had been held with officials at the Office of the Prime Minister and a meeting with the Labour Party had been requested.

It said it would do its best to uncover the "lies and mistaken information" made by BirdLife Malta and it would insist that Maltese hunters and trappers enjoyed the same rights as those in Europe, including the right for trapping as practised in Italy, Austria, France, and Spain.

It would also insist that Malta should enjoy the same rights enjoyed by the UK to apply derogations that permit hunting throughout the year, including the spring.