An “overwhelming” majority of hunters behaved “in an exemplary manner” during the spring hunting season, according to their federation.

The FKNK yesterday released a two-page statement which it described as an executive summary of a report on the spring hunting derogation.

Lino Farrugia, FKNK general secretary, told Times of Malta the full report will be released in the coming weeks but a copy was sent to the European Commission, the Government and the Opposition.

In the summary, which contained very little detail apart from how the report was structured, the FKNK said it was satisfied that the conditions of the derogation were observed.

The federation said it had monitored, on a first-hand basis, the situation on the ground, adding it was “very pleased” that the specific conditions regarding strict control were observed.

The federation reiterated its disagreement with certain impositions of the derogation that were not required by the Birds Directive and insisted it will continue to seek redress on “vexatious issues”.

The derogation allowed limited hunting of turtle doves and quails for 160 hours between April 10 and 30.

FKNK said about 9,500 hunters made use of the special licence.