Whilst commending the government's decision to spring hunting, Kaccaturi San Ubertu (KSU) contended that the dates in force unnecessarily restricted quail hunting even more so following a poor autumn season.

It referred to the amendments in the duration, quota and daily hunting hours implemented for the 2016 season saying these addressed the call for restrictions as part of turtle dove conservation actions proposed by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN).

Spring hunting, KSU said, was applied under derogation for turtle dove and quail. The latter enjoyed a favourable conservation status and it was a known fact proven by years of observation and official records that the migration of common quail occurred earlier than that of turtle dove. This was reflected by the opening of the spring hunting season earlier in April.

KSU’s recommendations to the government referred to hunter-financed scientific studies and a compensatory breeding programme for turtle dove and the retention of the hunting dates previously in force.

This, it said, was done specifically not to negate the “satisfactory solution” for quail hunting in spring referred to by the European Courts of Justice.