In a statement issued today The Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK) intensely condemns such shootings as reported by BirdLife Malta during a Press Conference on Monday, and as it has done in the past the FKNK will expel any of its members who may be convicted of such crimes.

These reports have proved yet again that not opening the traditional hunting season for the otherwise legal quarry as the turtle dove and the quail in spring, has done nothing to stop these few law-breakers who still persist in shooting protected species.

It is morally wrong and unfair that the Government is banning traditional hunting and trapping because it fails to control the few irresponsible law-breakers, and the thousands of bona fide hunters and trappers are suffering very serious health and mental consequences, a couple of which have already led to tragedies.

With the thousands of bona fide hunters and trappers legally practicing their passions and the rigid self-regulation and deterrent system proposed by the FKNK since 2006, such illegal shooting of protected bird species should be eliminated.

Joseph Buttigieg

President – FKNK

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