The hunters' federation, FKNK, has asked the government to say whether Malta had reached a special arrangement on spring hunting with the European Commission before EU accession.

Comments made by European Commission vice-president Gunther Verheugen on spring hunting during the TV programme Bondiplus on Monday led FKNK to question the validity of all 77 pre-accession special arrangements, not just the one on spring hunting.

The federation's general secretary, Lino Farrugia said that on Monday, Mr Verheugen, who was Enlargement Commissioner when Malta joined five years ago, said Maltese hunters should not hunt in spring.

"The statement completely contradicts the official written statements and promises made by the Prime Minister and the Malta/EU Information Centre just before the referendum and the 2004 general election," Mr Farrugia said.

"Prior to Malta's membership, the same commissioner, again on national television, had made other statements that differ distinctly from what he is stating now," the federation said.

Before Malta joined, the government had assured hunters and trappers the EU Accession Treaty, signed in 2003, included 77 special arrangements on several issues, including one on spring hunting. However, the European Commission later initiated legal proceedings against Malta at the European Courts of Justice.