“He also told Times of Malta that a ‘technical loophole’ has been found that would allow the Government to present proposals to the European Union to allow bird trapping in autumn.”

Can someone in their right senses please explain what the words quoted above actually mean? The man who uttered these unbelievable words—do tell me he didn’t—is not some clown, journalist or silly blogger. He is the Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights, Mr Roderick Galdes. He definitely doesn’t seem to be a great supporter of birds—unless the trapping of these creatures has come to be seen as highly commendable in this topsy-turvy land of ours.

Finding loopholes—and admitting you are doing this to smoothly circumvent EU rules—is at the top of the PS’s agenda. Three cheers for being, oh so resolutely, in favour of what is right for animals and abiding by the spirit of the law: just the right spirit a few weeks after the electoral victory to show us all the way forward.

If birds could speak they would surely chirrup—“thank you Mr Galdes but please now shut your trap to prevent our country sounding so antediluvian.”

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