The hunters’ federation has expressed concerns over the government’s plans to add 44,000 square metres to the Inwadar natural park, hoping that hunters will not be excluded as was the case with Majjistral Park.

“FKNK hopes that the hunters and trappers, members of the FKNK who hunt at Żonqor, won’t suffer the same fate which hunters and trappers at Majjistral Park did,” CEO Lino Farrugia said.

He said that Majjistral Park, spread over 6,900,000 square metres, was managed by three of the 14 environment entities that wanted to ban spring hunting.

The FKNK was reacting to plans made public last week, when 973,000 square metres of land were declared as being part of another national park.

Mr Farrugia said that the FKNK was analysing the management brief launched by the government for consultation. “Although it does not appear that there are any plans to abolish hunting, the FKNK will, nonetheless, make its submission to safeguard its members’ interests,” he said.