The government has until today to submit to the European Commission its justification for reintroducing finch trapping.

The deadline comes a few days after Italy banned the practice to avoid facing the European Court of Justice.

European Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella.

Last Sunday this newspaper reported that the Italian government had decided to outlaw the practice following the second warning it received from the Commission.

Malta, which is in a similar situation, has not relented on its intention to reopen a trapping season this year – from October 20 to December 31 – despite a clear statement by Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella that Malta should put an end to finch trapping.

“We have already started legal procedures … and Malta should abide by the regulations,” Mr Vella said last month.

While the government has not yet announced its position, a ‘notice for trappers’ posted on the hunters’ federation online forum informed members that the application process for trapping licences was open, Birdlife said in a statement.

The organisation urged the government to ban the practice rather than risk Malta facing the European court.

“Trapping wild birds and keeping them in tiny cages no bigger than a shoebox, just for fun, is completely unjustifiable. Yet the government continues to flout EU law, risking the country facing long and costly legal proceedings to appease trappers’ demands,” said conservation manager Nicholas Barbara.

Trapping wild birds and keeping them in tiny cages no bigger than a shoebox, just for fun, is completely unjustifiable

On the eve of the second formal warning from the Commission in May, the Ornis Committee, the government’s advisory body on hunting and trapping issues, made a recommendation to approve trapping again this autumn.

BirdLife has submitted a detailed report to the Commission on Malta’s decision to reintroduce finch trapping, listing not just bird conservation issues but also the practical problems enforcement authorities faced during the last season.

The organisation also referred to the impact trapping has on the countryside and other wildlife, among other reasons why trapping should finally be outlawed.

“We have seen large patches of the countryside scorched and burned in preparation of last year’s season. Over 8,000 trapping sites were active for more than two months last year. The impact of some of these has already been permanent – we need to reverse this impact, not increase it,” Mr Barbara added.

The Commission has made it clear it does not accept trapping for enjoyment to be a suitable reason for breaking EU law.