(Adds FKNK statement)

Trappers wishing to benefit from the derogation on trapping are to call at police stations with their Carnet de Chasse to pay their licence, the government said today.

In a reaction, the hunters and trappers' federation said that it would be issuing instructions to trappers who have already paid their licenses in the coming days.

The government said the derogation applies for the trapping of quail and turtle dove between September 1 and October 30, and golden plover and song thrush between October 20 and January 10.

Those seeking a licence will need to submit plans of up to two sites where they intend to trap. The mesh in the nets used may not be smaller than 30mm by 30mm.

The FKNK said that with these measures, the government was imposing further hardship and expenses on trappers.

The size of nets perforation and the supply of site-plans were not EU requisites and were additional government induced financial burdens.

The application of a derogation to permit this capturing was also not necessary, the FKNK said, since the species in question could be hunted.

"Such a derogation was not applied for years 2005 and 2006 when this type of capturing was also permitted. The derogation is only being applied because of the usual BirdLife Malta scaremongering threats against the government," FKNK said.

With these measures, it said, the government was also visibly discriminating against any would be new trappers, including those who were licensed hunters.

In the coming days the Federation for Hunting & Conservation – Malta (FKNK) will be issuing instructions on how trappers who have already paid their trapping licenses through mandates to the FKNK should now proceed.