The government said today that it would allow limited hunting for quail and turtle dove between April 24 and April 30, both days included, with a national bag limit of 3,900 quails and 3,600 turtle doves.

The government said that it had had talks with European Commission officials but no agreement was reached and the talks would would be continued.

Hunting would be permitted Monday to Saturday between two hours before sunrise and noon.

Hunters would have to apply for a special licence for €25. The funds would be used for law enforcement.

No hunting would be allowed on Sundays.

The government said it had based its talks with thew EU on the basis of two considerations: to establish a sustainable limit for the hunting of quail and turtle doves, and to establish the length of the spring hunting season.

The government had calculated that a bag of 13,000 quail and 12,000 turtle dove would be within the parameters of the ‘limited number’ laid down in the Birds Directive.

It said that for this Spring it would issue 2,500 special licences for the hunting of 3,900 quail and 3,600 turtle dove.

Applications for the licences would be made at post offices between this Monday and April 15.

Licence holders would have a quota of two birds per day and a maximum of three birds per licence. The licensed holders would be required to wear a special identification armband. They would also be required to report every bird caught through SMS.

All those breaking the law would lose their special licence and general hunting licence and face the penalties of the law.

The season would be closed once the limit was reached.

Hunting marshals would be recruited on a voluntary basis to help the ALE police to enforce the law.

The government statement in full can be seen at http://www.doi.gov.mt/EN/press_releases/2010/04/pr0608.asp