Four finch trappers were admitted to hospital last week, suffering from depression, the hunters' federation (FKNK) said today. One was suicidal.
It made the disclosure in a statement in which it accused BirdLife Malta (BLM) of social hatred after it called on the Commissioner of Police to investigate hunters who might be suffering from psychological disorders and were on anti-depressants because hunting had been banned.
Finch trapping will be banned from next month.
The FKNK said that investigations of the sort requested by BirdLife would amount to discrimination against hunters and trappers.
It said that it was vital that BLM's statement did not create serious problems by hindering hunters and trappers from seeking professional help because they feared losing their hunting licence and guns along with their traditional pastime and human dignity.
Furthermore, hunters/trappers who were already on treatment may discontinue any medical treatment, with potentially serious consequences on their health due to the same reasons, the FKNK said.
"The FKNK is sure that the Commissioner of Police will not be coerced to temper with any doctor / patient confidential relationship, and also that any doctor or psychologist is well aware of his professional duty and would know precisely if and when to report extreme cases to the Police," the federation said.
The FKNK said it was aware of one case where the guns of one of its members were confiscated because the person was not in a stable state of mind.
"What investigation is BLM expecting with regard to the suicides that occurred as a direct result of the same sad circumstances? In the FKNK's opinion someone should investigate who, why and what has established this depressing situation locally. What will BLM ask to be suspended from the finch trappers who might end up in the same depressing situation as October draws closer, now that it has been established that for the first time in recorded history, finch trapping in autumn/winter will not be permitted this year?"
The federation said that last week four finch trappers were admitted to hospital suffering from similar symptoms, one of whom was suicidal.
"What can the FKNK say to these people when it is aware that the same finch capturing by the use of nets is permitted in other EU Member States such as Austria and Spain, and that come 1st October in neighbouring Italy hunters will be permitted to shoot and kill the chaffinch, the brambling, the hawfinch, the greenfinch and the meadow pipit, the same finch species which the Maltese trappers wanted to capture as they have always done since time immemorial for the purpose of keeping alive in captivity?"
The hunters' federation said the greatest harm from such alarmist comments was caused to allpeople suffering from one form or another of mental illness and their families since such claims may imply that any individual suffering from mental illness or taking psychiatric treatment was automatically a threat to self and others. This may contribute towards further stigmatisation against all people with mental illness.