Hunters want to know when autumn shooting can start

The hunters’ federation has called on the government to announce the dates of the autumn hunting season, saying the wait was torturous.

Hunters and trappers have been kept in the dark because the government has not yet confirmed the recommendations by the Ornis Committee last June for the autumn season to open in three weeks’ time, according to the association.

The Times reported last month that the European Commission had started infringement procedures against Malta’s decision to allow trapping in autumn beyond the 2008 deadline.

Trapping was meant to be completely outlawed by 2008 following an almost-five-year transition period in which the Commission granted “special conditions” to allow the trapping of certain wild birds on a limited scale after EU accession.

However, the government said it was its intention to try to allow trapping in autumn through the use of a derogation and was intent on persuading the Commission on the matter.

The hunters’ federation pointed out the majority of hunters and trappers had paid their licences in January. Moreover, hunters all over the world did not have problems in knowing the exact dates of hunting seasons because these were fixed, as they should be, the federation said.

It queried why the government persisted in torturing the thousands who had these passions, especially since this was not the spring season.

A government spokesman said a decision would be announced “in the coming days”.

The issue of spring and autumn hunting was also discussed in a meeting held this week between a delegation from the hunters’ federation and Opposition Leader Joseph Muscat.