The government has issued an internal call for civil servants to apply for overtime to map out trapping sites in preparation for the next autumn season, even though it insists no decision has been taken over whether the season will open.

The call stated that the Wild Birds Regulation Unit – set up to regulate hunting and trapping activities – required six officers with salaries in scales 16 to eight to perform plotting work between August 13 and September 30.

This means the mapping of some 8,500 registered trapping sites is ongoing and will be done in time for the new season. The government usually makes a formal announcement of its intention, but two warnings from the European Commission have led to all work being kept under wraps, sources said.

Civil servants applying for the posts can only do the mapping work outside office hours and will be paid overtime rates. Overtime is reimbursed at a rate of 1.5 of the hourly pay; a civil servant receiving a scale eight salary earns €22,396 annually.

Last month, The Sunday Times of Malta revealed applications for licences for the next autumn trapping season have been accepted by the government and already been delivered to trappers.

The European Commission is considering its next step

This was confirmed by social media posts by Albert Pace, consultant to Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes, who is responsible for hunting and trapping activities.

Mr Pace, a former Labour MP and a licensed trapper and hunter, used social media to widen the call for applications and assist trappers in their queries.

The hunters’ federation also posted a notice on its website informing members of “the agreement” reached with the government. The informal announcements show the government unit was working directly with the FKNK to facilitate applications despite the government repeatedly saying it had not yet decided whether to open the next trapping season. Last year, the season was open between October and the end of the year.

Licence fees were set at €55, based on an agreement that if the season closed, FKNK members would be repaid the fee pro-rata.

Last May, the European Commission issued a final warning on finch trapping. If the government decides to go ahead, the next step for the EC is to file charges against Malta in the European Court of Justice and potentially face a hefty fine – a burden that would be carried by taxpayers.

Environment Commissioner Karmenu Vella has warned Malta to abide by EU law. He is informed of the latest developments and told this newspaper the Commission is considering its next step.