BirdLife's arrogance and their contemplated arbitrary exercise of pretended rights knew no boundaries or respect and correctness, hunters said this evening.

The hunters' federation (FKNK) said in a statement that they sent their spring hunting derogation report to the authorities, including the European Commission last May.

Referring to a statement by BirdLife Malta yesterday that the organisation sent an urgent communication to the Commission concerning the government’s failure to make available information on this year’s spring hunting season, the hunters’ federation (FKNK) said it requested the same data.

Notwithstanding that this was not available then, it still compiled its derogation report without continuing “to tarnish Malta’s image at all costs both locally and abroad”.

“Could it be that BLM had become used to easily 'obtain' any data or information from one of its supporters within Mepa (Malta Environment Planning Authority) up to last year? Or could it be that other BLM friends also within Mepa have been dragging their feet to supply any data being requested by Government?”

The federation said that BirdLife's arrogance and their contemplated arbitrary exercise of pretended rights knew no boundaries or respect and correctness.

“The FKNK only expects the Commission to be pragmatic and unbiased in its assessment of any data and reports it receives from any source and to assess each document within the framework of the aims of the entity that write it,” it said.