Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party said that it calls upon the Parliamentary Secretary for Rural Affairs and Animal rights Roderick Galdes, to reverse the decision allowing autumn bird trapping.

“Alternattiva Demokratika condemns the reintroduction of bird trapping for seven finch species plus, through the application of a derogation,” said Simon Galea spokesperson Animal Welfare & Agriculture.

He added, “instead of promoting nature appreciation and conservation through educational programmes and activities such as bird watching, the authorities are approving the trapping of wild birds including seven species of finches, song thrushes and golden plovers destined to spend the rest of their life confined to small cages,” said Simon Galea spokesperson Animal Welfare & Agriculture.”

Simon Galea pointed out that, “apart from the animal welfare aspect, allowing bird trapping is an unsustainable practice especially since it is not linked to any breeding programme. Throughout recent years, enforcement has failed to address the rampant illegal bird trapping let alone respecting conditions related to such a derogation including the trapping of birds on a selective basis, in small numbers and under strict supervision.”

He concluded, this runs counter to the Accession Treaty Agreement where it was agreed that trapping will be phased out by 2009.”

File photograph trapping site in Gozo by BLM

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