In what will come as welcome news for Malta’s 2,600 licensed trappers, the government yesterday announced it would be applying a derogation on the trapping of song thrushes between today and January 10.
The derogation follows an Ornis Committee recommendation and requires trappers to adhere to the conditions listed in the carnet de chasse. Trappers must also ensure trapping net holes are no smaller than 30mm by 30mm.
Trapping of golden plover remains illegal pending further study, the government said.
Bird trapping has been an emotive issue over the past months, with either side of the debate vociferously protesting against the other’s position.
The trapping of birds using nets is prohibited under the EU Birds Directive, although derogations are permissible in certain specific circumstances.
Last June, the European Commission announced it was starting infringement proceedings against the government for its application of derogations on the trapping of four species of bird.
In its hunting and trapping policy guidelines issued last month, the government banned autumn trapping pending further investigation into the criteria required for a derogation to be applied.
The hunters’ federation, FKNK, has disputed the Commission’s decision and said the government’s failure to open the trapping season has led to a number of psychiatric disorders among its members.
Trappers have also criticised the government for allowing them to renew their trapping licences, only to then not open the trapping season.
Reacting to the announcement, a spokesman from BirdLife (Malta) said the decision to allow trapping when the Commission had announced infringement proceedings against the government on this very issue last June was “puzzling”.
The spokesman criticised the “unorthodox” announcement of a trapping derogation without making reference to any specific legal notice.
“How can the government announce the opening of the trapping season without publishing a legal notice to that effect?” the spokesman asked.
When contacted, a spokesman from the Office of the Prime Minister confirmed that the relevant legal notice would be published today.