Thirty-three MEPs from 10 countries have requested an urgent meeting with the European Commissioner for the Environment to discuss the spring hunting of birds in Malta, Birdlife said.

The MEPs consider that the European Commission is not doing enough to stop Malta from breaking EU rules as it incorrectly applies the derogation from the Birds Directive on recreational spring hunting.

The directive normally protects migratory birds from being hunted during this crucial stage of their lifecycle.