BirdLife has warned the government not to risk being taken before the European Court once more, this time over trapping.

The society was reacting to a report in The Times that the government is considering a limited derogation to allow trapping, which is currently banned.

BirdLife also referred to the announcement of the autumn hunting dates and called into question government claims that hunting regulations and conditions will be strictly enforced.

"The government claims that "The police shall monitor closely the observance of hunting regulations and conditions.” However, BirdLife Malta’s monitoring of previous hunting seasons suggest otherwise. For example, last September, during the peak month for migration of birds of prey over Malta, BirdLife Malta alone recorded 311 illegal hunting offences, including 119 incidents of hunters targeting protected species. However, for the same period a total of only 12 charges were issued by the police for illegal hunting offences," it said. 

It added that despite the fact that migration has started and numerous illegal hunting and trapping incidents have been observed, the ALE unit is currently assigned to beach patrols.

Proposed trapping derogation

With regard to the proposed trapping derogation, BirdLife said that the  EU had already warned Malta of its non-compliance with the Birds Directive for a trapping season opened last November for just Song Thrush, adding that past trapping seasons had inadvertently been utilised as a loophole for the banned practice of finch trapping.

“We urge the government not to again put Malta in the position of being taken to the European Court of Justice for its failure to protect wild birds,” BirdLife said.