The European Court's Advocate General’s opinion in the European Commission’s case against Malta on the application of finch trapping derogation showed intolerance and a lack of understanding of live bird capture as practised in Malta, Kaċċaturi San Ubertu (KSU) said this evening.

According to an Opinion issued yesterday by the Advocate General at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, current trapping arrangements of seven species of wild finches in Malta do not respect the country’s obligations under EU law.

KSU said in a statement it was following procedures closely and, on behalf of its members who trapped, would do its utmost within the law to safeguard the practice.

It pledged full support to the government and the authorities on their “exemplary application” of the derogation and urged them to remain firm in their valid arguments defending the rights of Maltese trappers.