Malta intends to apply a derogation to allow bird trapping in the autumn, Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary, Roderick Galdes, has confirmed.

Mr Galdes said a derogation was justified in terms of a breeding programme launched in 2004.

Mepa last year granted special autumn live-capturing licences to 1,100 trappers for limited trapping of song thrush and golden plover.

Last February, Labour leader (now prime minister) Joseph Muscat said a Labour government would not renegotiate hunting and trapping regulations with the EU but will insist that the Maltese are treated like their European counterparts.

"Illegal hunting will remain illegal but we are members of the EU and have to operate within the parameters of the EU. Our position on hunting and trapping is simple: We want Maltese hunters and trappers to be treated like those in other European states, such as France," he said.

Dr Muscat said that where derogations were possible, his government would apply them.

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