BirdLife Malta has advised that Monday was the last day of the ”finch trapping research project” which was opened by the Government for the second consecutive year in October in ‘breach of the landmark 2018 judgement by the European Court of Justice (ECJ).”

The NGO added that the reopening of this season in 2020 led to the European Commission (EC) initiating fresh Infringement Proceedings against Malta on finch trapping in December last year.

BirdLife Malta stated that ”despite the first two warnings sent at the end of last year and in June this year, last October the Government reopened the same finch trapping ‘research’ derogation for 2021 and on the 12th of November this year the Commission ”had no other option but to take the infringement case to the final level, referring Malta once again to the ECJ.”

The NGO concluded by saying that now that the season has closed, ”as from today anyone noted trapping finches should be reported to the police Environmental Protection Unit (EPU) on 119 since they would be committing an illegal act.”

Writing on social media on Monday, Minister for Gozo Clint Camilleri said, ”today was the last day of the research period for song birds 2021.”

He added that, ”despite all the challenges, I am pleased that this period has been implemented and is now coming to a successful end.”

”Thanks to all the participants and now we look forward to the data analysis and ring recoveries that will be submitted. I am more convinced than ever that tradition and research must go hand in hand,” the Minister said.

Photo by BirdLife Malta

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