The hunting association Kaċ-ċaturi San Umbertu has questioned reports of illegal hunting published by BirdLife in recent days.

Secretary Mark Mifsud Bonnici said the “few isolated cases allegedly witnessed by BirdLife, that all lack official confirmation, are being directed solely to undermine police efforts at enforcement”.

He said the association demanded that all reports presented by BirdLife be either officially denied or witnessed by a police officer.

“We strongly condemn the false allegations being generated solely to undermine our legal right to derogation based on totally unverified fact and solicit immediate official action to prevent further ridicule of an efficient police force that is performing admirably,” Mr Mifsud Bonnici said.

Meanwhile, Hunters’ Federation general secretary Lino Farrugia said it was now clear that legal hunting was the best deterrent against shooting of protected species.

He said the FKNK was investigating the BirdLife reports, and if FKNK members were found guilty of shooting protected bird species they would have their membership suspended immediately.

“The FKNK warns that it will not permit any criminal who persists with illegal shooting of protected species to undermine the rights of genuine hunters to yet again practice their traditional socio-cultural passion of turtle dove and quail spring hunting by application of a correct derogation,” Mr Farrugia said.

He said hunters would also be submitting a report on the spring hunting season to the European Commission, where illegalities observed by the hunters’ federation and the action taken against the breaking of the regulations would also be mentioned.