Birdlife Malta said today it took exception to a comment made by a magistrate when he handed down judgement in a libel case on Monday.

The magistrate had dismissed a case filed by BirdLife over a press statement issued by the hunters' federation about a booklet which BirdLife had issued. 

BirdLife said that while it respected the judgement, it wished to comment on the verdict where the magistrate claimed: “in the booklet there was no reference to legal hunting and its benefit.”

"BirdLife Malta reiterates that there are no known benefits to hunting in a modern society and that hunting as practised in Malta today simply decimates biodiversity and is simply carried out for the pleasure to kill."

Birdlife said it therefore found this comment to be 'incredible'.

It insisted there are several alternatives to hunting wild birds and hunting remains "an egoistic act for the sole enjoyment of the hunter who is privileged to carry a shotgun".

"The fact that it is tolerated does not mean that it is beneficial," it said.