The FKNK said today that its officials will not attend this evening's Ornis Committee meeting because of the yet unresolved situation on the trapping of the golden plover.

In a statement, the FKNK said it suspended its participation in  the Ornis Committee last November because of the government's refusal to open the trapping season for the golden plover based on 'totally illogical and insensible arguments'.

The FKNK said the government had continued to disregard the FKNK's and Ornis Committee proposals.

Resources Minister George Pullicino and the government also disregarded the FKNK's detailed proposals about hunting and trapping at ix-Xahra l-Ħamra Park. The FKNK said the Ornis Committee was being asked to rubber-stamp a fait accompli draft legal notice that would regulate hunting and trapping at the park. This proposed legislation was unfair and discriminatory with hunters and trappers and could create a very dangerous precedent for hunting and trapping practices in general.

Such a situation, the FKNK said, could not continue to be tolerated.

"The FKNK believes that it is only appropriate that certain structures, including the Malta Ornis Committee, are respected, allowed to work constructively and in a transparent manner, and not used by government at its convenience.

"As soon as this is apparent, and once the FKNK meets the Prime Minister as he has recently agreed, the FKNK will continue to give its complete support and resources to any discussions and meetings, including those of the Malta Ornis Committee, in the best interests of nature conservation and local, legal, sustainable hunting and trapping practices."