The hunters' federation has criticised the majority of members of the Ornis Committee for having been afraid of recommending the opening of the Spring hunting season.

In a statement, the federation urged the Prime Minister to allow Spring hunting, on the basis of objective information, pointing out that any new ban would contradict Malta's stand in the European Court.

The FKNK said that despite all efforts based on factual evidence as presented by its representatives, the majority of the members of the Ornis Committee remained afraid "to take a decision to fight for justice for the thousands of Maltese citizens."

It said it was appealing to the Prime Minister to take cognizance of the serious nature of this lack of recommendation and to analyse the facts objectively and base his decision to open the Spring season for 2009 as suggested by the FKNK.

"In so doing the Prime Minister would still be adhering to the terms of the EU “Birds” Directive and keeping true to all pre-electoral and pre-referendum promises and guarantees made to the thousands of Maltese and Gozitan nationals"

The federation warned that once the Prime Minister was in possession of the data that was not available to the European Court when it applied an interim measure for 2008, failure to open the Spring season for 2009 would have a counter-productive effect and impinge on the proceedings currently sub-judice.

"Hence any decision by the Prime Minister not to open this year’s long awaited Spring season could be working against the principles upheld by the Attorney General in defending Malta’s case at the European Court."

The FKNK advised its members to await further directives in the coming weeks.