BirdLife has criticised the Office of the Prime Minister for further relaxing future spring hunting derogations.

In reaction to an amendment to the spring hunting framework legislation last Friday, BirdLife said this amendment failed to address concerns raised by the European Commission and further relaxed future spring hunting derogations which the OPM seemed to be committed to give to the hunting lobby.

The amendment removes the previous limit of 2,500 hunting licenses, as demanded by the hunting lobby after last year’s spring hunting derogation.

The time limit during which hunting may take place has been extended from midday to 3 p.m. from Monday to Friday, increasing the daily hunting hours by three for each hunting day.

BirdLife noted that the European Commission had stated it was concerned that the new framework legislation seeking to permit spring hunting in future years did not comply with the European Court of Justice ruling.

It decidedto issue a Letter of Formal Notice under ongoing infringement proceedings.

The Commission also warned Malta that “if the necessary actions are not taken by the Maltese authorities, the Commission may decide to take Malta back to Court to request financial penalties.”

BirdLife said that the amendments did not specify the conservation status of the turtle dove and common quail in Europe.

“This is despite the fact that both species are listed as suffering population declines in Europe, and that in its Sustainable Hunting Guide – the guidance document to the Birds Directive, the Commission specifically states that no derogations should be allowed for species of Conservation Concern in Europe.

“Prior to the elections the Prime Minister promised to prioritise nature protection. Yet, the government instead favours an unlimited number of hunters, killing birds with declining European populations, prior to their breeding season thus preventing them from replenishing their population,” conservation officer Nicholas Barbara said.

“It seems like the Prime Minister is ready to risk the country being taken back to court, this time facing hefty penalties due to another spring hunting derogation.

“This is all to appease an aggressive hunting lobby that already has five months of hunting season from September to the end of January,” Mr Barbara said.