Alternattiva Demokratika has slammed the Ornis chairman for proposing a spring hunting period for turtle doves and quail and said it support BirdLife's call for his resignation.

AD said such proposals were government motivated.

Chairman Michael Briguglio said:

"It is evident that the Ornis Committee is simply following the Nationalist Government's aim to appease the hunting lobby. Labour has a similar position. Both PN and PL should clearly and unequivocally declare if they agree that hunting should be stopped in spring, as clearly stated in the Birds Directive and as demanded by AD, Birdlife and environmental NGOs."

AD, he said, considered referring the matter to the EU Environment Commissioner for his intervention to ensure that Malta was brought in line with the Bird Directive obligations.

Animal welfare spokesman Simon Galea said that following the comments made by the EU Environment Commissioner that there was no room for relaxing the restrictions imposed on the spring hunting season of 2011, AD wasdeeply concerned "by this government's intervention to ridicule the EU Environment Commissioner".

AD was also concerned about the financial and political repercussions on Malta if such proposals were approved; pointing out that the government might have to fork out millions of euros in fines for contravening EU directives at a time when it was reducing funds available for social and educational needs.