UPDATED 6pm with WBRU reaction:

Birdlife Malta said today it is not ruling out restarting the process to kickstart another spring hunting referendum.

"When the government’s decision to open a spring hunting season is taken purely on a political consideration, it may be the time to revisit the idea of another referendum."

Addressing a press conference outside the Prime Minister's office, Birdlife CEO Mark Sultana appealed to the government not to open this year's spring hunting season, particularly in light of new scientific evidence showing that the turtle dove is a “vulnerable” species.

He said that turtle dove numbers in Europe have decreased by 30 per cent in just 15 years.

A referendum on the controversial spring hunting season last year was narrowly won by the 'yes' camp, with many blaming Prime Minister Joseph Muscat for the last-minute swing.

Birdlife president Darryl Grima urged EU Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella to stop being a Maltese politician and start being a European one by taking action to protect the species.

Mr Grima said the Wild Birds Regulation Unit is being used as a tool to reduce the protection of birds rather than increase regulation to protect them.

Government 'did not ignore advice'

In a reaction, the Wild Birds Regulation Unit said the NGO is not correct in its claims that the government has “ignored” scientific advice when deciding on the parameters of this year’s spring hunting derogation.

Contrary to these claims, the government thoroughly considered detailed scientific assessment of the conservation status of turtle dove and quail, together with the results of independent bird migration studies, hunting bag statistics, and other data.

Furthermore, the government took note of the fact that the Ornis Committee dedicated three sessions to discussing matters related to this year’s derogation, prior to unanimously recommending to the government the opening of this year’s season, subject to special measures to reduce the potential impact of hunting on the population of turtle dove.

Although turtle dove has now been included in EU Red Data List, the species still remains legally huntable under the EU Birds Directive; indeed, over three million birds are hunted annually throughout the EU, the unit said.

Birdlife 'arrogant'

In a statement, Kaccaturi San Ubertu accused Birdlife Malta of showing total disrespect for European directives, the electorate and the Maltese authorities following last year's referendum.

"KSU considers this ridiculing of the electorate as another instance of Birdlife Malta’s extremist attitude. Unfortunately, unlike hunting in all other EU member states, Birdlife Malta’s arrogance renders local hunting as a matter of controversy where all the related economic and international repercussions result as their benefit."