Alternattiva Demokratika is urging the government to reverse its decision to allow bird trapping in autumn.

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, the AD said.

Animal welfare spokesman Simon Galea said this decision would negatively impact seven species of finches, song thrushes and golden plovers.

The AD argued that bird trapping was unsustainable as it was not linked to any breeding programme and that the practice was in breach of the EU Accession Treaty Agreement which stated that trapping would be phased out by 2009.