BirdLife Malta today criticised the authorities’ decision to return guns confiscated by the police from hunters out hunting this week.

The NGO said the decision to return the guns was taken after the FKNK lobbied Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, and throws into question the government’s commitment to strictly enforce this year’s spring hunting season.

The guns were confiscated since the start of the hunting season last Wednesday, from hunters caught not complying with this year’s spring hunting legislation by not carrying the necessary documents with them while hunting, Birdlife said.

This year’s season is being opened by derogation on the Birds Directive, and the government is obliged to ensure strict conditions of enforcement as a basic requirement of the derogation, the NGO said.

“Furthermore there is no restriction on the number of licenses issued for this year’s three week season, open between the 13th and 130th April, as demanded by the FKNK last year.”

“The Prime Minister has already given in to several FKNK demands. He has now caved in to yet more FKNK demands and further relaxed enforcement of this year’s spring hunting season.” stated Geoffrey Saliba, BirdLife Malta Campaigns Coordinator.

“This latest decision by government not only undermines police efforts at enforcement, but also jeopardises the ‘strict supervision’ test required as part of the spring hunting derogation,” Birdlife said.

Both Turtle Dove and Quail are of conservation concern since both species are in decline in Europe. BirdLife Malta maintains that no derogations should be permitted for spring hunting of species of unfavourable conservation status, Birdlife concluded.

Permalink: BLM critises authorities’ decision to return guns to hunters