Updated with Birdlife press conference at 2.10pm

Trappers are "terrified" that last month could have seen the end of trapping, the Hunters' Federation (FKNK) said on Wednesday.

The European Court of Justice will this year decide whether Malta can continue applying a derogation allowing an autumn trapping season.

Birdlife, on the other hand, said it was time the government learnt that "political will" did not justify going against EU conservation laws.

The season, which runs between October and the end of December, is subject to infringement proceedings by the European Commission. The court case was filed in 2015.  

Asked by Times of Malta what had led to the infringement proceedings and court action, FKNK's Joe Perici Calascione said that in previous years rules may have been bent.

"But if I have stepped out of line give me a slap on the wrist don't knock me out," he said.

The lifelong hunter said the trapping community wanted the opportunity to pass on its cultural heritage to the next generation.

And while the FKNK insists trapping is part of the island's cultural fabric, abuse during the contentious season irks many, Mr Calascione said.

During the press briefing, the federation gave an overview of the arguments presented in court in favour of retention of the practice.

Trappers argue that the practice in Malta is well within the natural mortality rate - a figure set by the EU's Birds Directive.

They also refer extensively to ECJ judgments that describe trapping as an example of cultural heritage.

The way trapping is practiced in Malta, the FKNK said, is well within the acceptable parameters set by the EU.

Conservation NGO Birdlife Malta is holding a similar press briefing later today.

Political will does not justify going against EU laws - Birdlife

It was time the government learnt that "political will" did not justify going against EU conservation laws, Birdlife Malta said on Wednesday.

Referring to the forthcoming European Court of Justice decision, Mark Sultana, the conservationist NGO's chief executive, said that while the court judgement could not be predicted, the proceedings so far had indicated that the ECJ might be leaning towards abolishing the practice.

The court proceedings were opened in 2015 after the European Commission filed infringement proceedings against Malta.

Finch trapping was phased out after the island joined the EU but was later reintroduced after the Labour Party swept to power.

In July, the ECJ advocate general had released an opinion saying that the season was not a reasonable application for a derogation.

Mr Sultana said the government could not "hand on heart" say that enforcement was being carried out thoroughly.

He pointed out that the Maltese Attorney General had recommended the government to close the season, however, the advice was ignored.

Reacting to comments by the Hunters' Federation earlier today, Mr Sultana said that arguments that trapping was a part of Malta's cultural heritage did not hold.

"Over the years we have evolved as a society and moved away from a lot of practices," he said.

Birdlife estimate that more than 110,00 finches may have died as a result of finch trapping in Malta since 2014.

"It is a well know fact that birds like finches die when they are captured and put in a cage," Mr Sultana said.