Birdlife has accused the government of prioritising political interests over the national interest by accommodating the “unjustified demands of a group solely interested in its hobby”.

Reacting to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s statement last Friday that he would be prepared to go back to the European Court of Justice over the issue of spring hunting to defend Malta’s rights, Birdlife said this clearly showed he was prepared to risk Maltese taxpayers’ money.

“The Prime Minister’s incredulous stand that he sees the killing of migratory birds during the breeding season as ‘right’ rides roughshod over the interests of the majority of the citizens and goes against the nature conservation directive of the EU,” Birdlife said.

“It is clear that the ongoing saga with spring hunting will not be resolved because of political parties’ interest in nature conservation, despite the country’s international commitments to protect biodiversity,” the NGO added.