The Federation for Hunting & Conservation  (FKNK) has called for removal of all references to so-called 'farmland' birds in the draft  National Environment Policy (NEP).

In  a statement, the federation said the draft is "replete with generalizations and grey areas open to interpretation, and lacking directness and transparency."

In particular, the FKNK said it viewed the insertion of the term "Status of farmland birds" as an attempt to further undermine the hunting and trapping traditions.

"The term has never been used before in a Maltese context, and has never featured in any major Maltese publication about birds. Any decision on 'farmland birds' is bound to affect the majority of the migratory birds that may legally be hunted/trapped in Malta, since they could all fit loosely within the category. The FKNK insists, therefore, on the removal of all references to so-called 'farmland' birds," the federation said.

It added that the NEP should clarify grey areas open to interpretation that may impact hunters/trappers such as land management, changes to private property rights, and creation of public footpaths.

"It is absolutely unacceptable that the NEP enables the government to decide unilaterally on the hunting/trapping of "farmland birds" migrating over the Maltese islands. Therefore, the FKNK expects the corresponding references to be removed," the FKNK said.

"It is equally unacceptable that the Policy makes it possible for the government to make unilateral decisions to limit/ban hunting/trapping based on an arbitrary evaluation of over-exploitation of species.

"In order to live up to its declared aims, the NEP should state clearly and without equivocation that binding decisions on major issues will not be put into effect without the full agreement of all the stakeholders."