Alternattiva Demokratika has requested a reversal of the decision allowing autumn bird trapping.

"Instead of promoting nature appreciation and conservation through educational programmes and activities such as bird watching, the authorities are approving the trapping of wild birds including seven species of finches, song thrushes and golden plovers destined to spend the rest of their life confined to smalll cages," animal welfare spokesman Simon Galea said.

He said that allowing bird trapping was unsustainable especially since it was not linked to any breeding programme.

It also ran counter to the EU Accession Treaty Agreement where it was agreed that trapping will be phased out by 2009, Mr Galea said.