Trappers who want to benefit from a derogation on trapping this autumn must present a carnet de chasse at a police station to pay for their licence.

The government said the derogation applies to the trapping of quail and turtle dove between September 1 and October 30 and the golden plover and song thrush between October 20 and January 10. It said those paying for their licence must also submit plans of up to two sites where they intend to trap and nets' mesh must not be smaller than 30 millimetres by 30 millimetres.

This sparked a harsh reaction from the hunters and trappers' federation, who said the government was not only restricting trappers' rights but also imposing further hardship and expenses.

It said the derogation was unnecessary because the birds in question could be hunted anyway and the nets' specification was not required by the EU and was an additional financial burden.