Trappers have called on parliamentarians to properly apply a derogation to the EU's Birds Directive to allow finch trapping in autumn to carry on "in a limited and controlled fashion".

In a petition presented in Parliament yesterday by Labour MP Michael Falzon, the hunting federation FKNK urged MPs to consider all possible avenues to ensure the traditional pastime could be retained. The petition, drafted by federation president Joe Buttigieg, says that despite promises and guarantees given by the government before EU accession - that trapping would not be banned at the end of 2008 - the hobby has been halted for the first time in Malta's history.

The petition, carrying more than 8,200 signatures, insists the accession treaty does not indicate that trapping should be stopped altogether.

When contacted, Dr Falzon said he was approached by the federation to present the petition in his capacity as an MP. A hunter himself, Dr Falzon said he had not practised the pastime in Malta for more than 10 years "because there is a lot of prejudice against hunters".