Another appeal has been made to the government by the federation that represents hunters and trappers – the FKNK, for the golden plover and song thrush trapping season to be declared open.

In a statement, the FKNK said this season usually opened on October 20.

It said that the trapping season for quails and turtle doves usually opened on September 1, but the government arbitrarily decided not to open it.

All four birds can be hunted.

The FKNK said that the trapping season was not open because between 2004 and 2010 the government opened the season through an incorrectly filed derogation which was not acceptable to the European Commission.

However, the federation said it had formal meetings, personal discussions and correspondence with the most senior Commission officials and it was informed that there was still time for an agreement to be reached for the golden plover and song thrush trapping season to be opened.

So it was again appealing to the government to act on the basis of the documents the FKNK had given it and open the season. Should this not be done, this would be the first year in Maltese history that trapping was not practiced to the detriment of the island's culture and social life. Moreover, the government would be breaching another promise.

The FKNK also promised trappers it would continue to do whatever was possible for the trapping tradition to once again get established on solid ground and be legal on the Maltese islands.