Din l-Art Helwa opposes extension of hunting curfew

NGO Din l-Art Helwa has come out in opposition to government’s decision to extend the hunting hours in September to 7pm, claiming that this “limits the enjoyment of countryside and nature for families.”

Earlier this week, government announced the opening of the autumn hunting season starting on September 1st and closing on January 31st. The hunting of birds on land shall be permitted between two hours before sunrise and two hours after sunset on any day between Monday and Saturday, and between two hours before sunrise and 1pm on Sundays and Public Holidays.

“Din l-Art Helwa is concerned by the government's decision to again allow hunting until 7 pm in September, removing the 3 pm hunting curfew which was intended to protect migrating birds of prey during this period,” a statement issued by the NGO read. “Apart from the increased threat to migrating birds, extending the hunting hours limits the enjoyment of the countryside and nature for families and the general public, and only serves the interests of hunters.”

Din l-Art Helwa said that instead of proposing new ideas and measures to improve the protection of the environment and to prevent potential abuse, the government was “taking a step backwards by easing the existing environmental regulations in order to appease the hunting lobby.”