The Federation for Hunting & Conservation this afternoon Nationalist MP Franco Debono for the “efforts and assistance that he has been trying to give to trappers”.

In a statement, this afternoon, it noted that it was originally Dr Debono who had raised the issue on live-finch trapping in Parliament on Monday. 

Speaking in Parliament on Monday, Dr Debono had proposed the setting up of a Birds Migration Research Centre, possibly with the aid of EU funds, and a derogation on finch trapping based on bird ringing and a capture breeding programme.

Dr Debono, himself a bird breeder, criticised the authorities for not setting up the capture breeding programme.

He said his point was that, as a country Malta could utilise the enthusiasm of bird enthusiasts, including trappers, in a legal and controlled manner possibly even aiding the study and research of bird migration while allowing trappers to enjoy their pastime.

Dr Debono again urged the government to set up a decent capture breeding programme on which an eventual trapping derogation could be based to explore the widening of a regulated bird ringing activity while respecting environmental commitments, even through the setting up of the research centre.

Dr Debono, the FKNK said, made his plan’s proposal to the government well over a year ago. 

The FKNK said it also recognised Dr Debono’s efforts regarding the barn owl project, which seemed to have been halted because of MEPA’s obstacles.