UPDATED | FKNK wants new government to stop foreign conservationists, AD objects

Malta's hunting and trapping lobby FKNK is calling on the main political parties to take effective measures to prohibit foreign conservationists from roaming the Maltese countryside, after the past five years saw an effective campaign to monitor illegal hunting by Maltese and Gozitan hunters and trappers.

The hunting and trapping lobby's request was however quickly slammed by Alternattiva Demokratika as "absurd" and "unbelievable".

In a statement, AD spokepserson on EU and International Affairs Prof. Arnold Cassola said "the request by the Hunters' Federation to stop foreigners roaming the Maltese countryside is unbelievable."

He insisted that "Malta is a free country where public land belongs to everyone," adding that "Malta is also part of the European Union and therefore every Maltese and European has freedom of movement."

"It is ironic that while all Maltese are free to settle down, work or study in any of the 27 European countries, the Hunters' Federation is proposing blocking entrance to foreigners to certain parts of Malta," Cassola said. "This is absurd."

In the same statement, Deputy Chairman and spokesperson for Sustainable Development and Home Affairs Carmel Cacopardo said that "the presence of foreign environmentalists monitoring the countryside is a clear indication that the international community is preoccupied with Malta's non-adherence to basic environmental rules which have a transboundary impact. Abusive hunting in Malta and Gozo is giving all of Malta a bad reputation. Alternattiva Demokratika The Green Party has always stood up against these abuses".

AD Chairperson Michael Briguglio further pledged that "in parliament, AD will insist for the abolition of spring hunting, in line with the EU birds directive, and for continuous enforcement against hunting illegalities."

AD's quick rebuttal followed in the wake of a series of proposals to the parties by the FKNK, wherein the hunting and trapping associated also said it wanted money from hunting licenses to be diverted back to the FKNK for its own advancement, apart from a series of proposals that effectively are not possible under present EU legislation.

The hunters said they wanted to have limited trapping for songbirds in autumn, as well as "the correct application" of the derogation from the EU's ban on spring hunting, as according to the European Court of Justice's ruling, and a remove of other restrictions they claim is not part of EU law.e

Additionally, the FKNK said it wanted to see limited trapping for turtle dove in spring, as well as for quail, golden plover and other huntable species during the autumn and winter; the removal of restrictions on hunting after 3pm in late September, the ban on coastal hunting, and a fixed hunting season in the autumn and hunting.

The FKNK also called for new licences to be issued to trappers, something that was discontinued in 2002, and an amnesty for owners of illegally stuffed birds.

The proposals have been presented to both government and Labour, FKNK said, while adding that it was concerned that the pressure of conservationists BirdLife on government would lead to a complete stoppage on the trapping of songbirds, and allow hunting only on private land and up till 10am.

"You are well informed as to what you should ask your district candidate," the FKNK told members in its electoral pamphlet. "You must make them understand what these injustices are, and that the government should seriously consider these proposals."