Ecological tourism to Malta is being damaged not by hunting but by the hype around it, the hunters’ federation and St Hubert Hunters said.

They said in a statement this evening that this was confirmed by Meril Ltd, a company which specialised in eco-tourism in a story in Times of Malta.

The hunters' organisation said that this season there were only three violations of a bird reserve but an unholy fuss was created involving a BBC film crew and at least 17 news reports in one newspaper.

“There are 9,600 licensed to hunt in April, and three poachers make up only 0.03 per cent. This is proof enough that the whole issue is being dramatically sensationalised by fanatics, aided by foreign abolitionists.

“As regards the MHRA’s appeal to NGOs to ensure that the Government takes the necessary steps to eradicate hunting abuses, the FKNK, as the largest NGO would like to assure the association that we co-operate fully with the Government towards that objective.”

The two organisations said that since tourism forecasts for 2013 predicted a record year, the Malta Hotels and Restaurants Association should not be unduly concerned.

“Nevertheless, the MHRA may wish to note that we would gladly participate in any seminar or forum it might organise to study the phenomenon of anti-hunting agitation and sensationalism and their possible effects on tourism,” the FKNK and St Hubert Hunters said.