Alternattiva Demokratkia yesterday welcomed the European Commission’s statement that it would be monitoring the spring hunting season.
Animal welfare spokesman Simon Galea said: “While hunting for any species is unacceptable during this period since birds are on their way to their breeding grounds, other concerns include the illegal hunting of protected birds mainly birds of prey.”
Malta is once again derogating from the EU Birds Directive, which forbids hunting in spring.
The national quota is 11,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quails, with the season running from last Wednesday until April 30.
Mr Galea said the provisions laid out by the Government “do not cater for a proper enforcement mechanism addressing illegal hunting.”