The newly-appointed Ornis Committee yesterday held discussions on the spring hunting season but no details have emerged so far on its recommendations.

Members refused to give comments

The committee, now led by ecologist Louis Cassar, is entrusted with giving recommendations on hunting, but the final decision is to be taken by the government.

Members of the Ornis Committee yesterday refused to give any comments to the press after their meeting.

This is the first spring hunting season under the new Labour Government and expectations among the hunting community are high, particularly following a joint declaration signed between Labour and the Hunters’ Federation (FKNK) on the eve of the election.

Hunting during spring is illegal under EU rules, but a European Court decision in 2009 allowed Malta to derogate for a “limited” and “restricted” season under strict conditions.

Over the past years, the previous Administration had informally consulted the European Commission before setting the parameters of the restricted season in order to prevent further court action and possible fines by the European Court.

The spring hunting season last spring was opened between April 12 and 30. It had a national bag limit of 11,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quails.

Hunters also had to acquire a special licence and could not hunt more than four birds in the entire season.

The FKNK vehemently opposed these limits and claimed that the Government was incorrect implementing the derogation.

In a statement issued the day after Labour was elected, the FKNK said it was convinced a PL government would “restore dignity to hunters and trappers”.