Hunters launch broadside against National Environment Policy

The FKNK said that the insertion of the term “Status of farmland birds” is an attempt to undermine hunting and trapping because the term had never been used before in a Maltese context, and never featured in any major Maltese publication about birds.

“Any decision on ‘farmland birds’ is bound to affect the majority of the migratory birds that may legally be hunted or trapped in Malta, since they could all fit loosely within the category. The FKNK insists, therefore, on the removal of all references to so-called ‘farmland’ birds,” secretary-general Lino Farrugia said. 

The FKNK said the NEP should clarify the grey areas open to interpretation that may impact hunters and trappers such as land management, changes to private property rights, and creation of public footpaths.

“It is absolutely unacceptable that the NEP enables the government to decide unilaterally on the hunting/trapping of ‘farmland birds’ migrating over the Maltese islands. We the corresponding references to be removed,” Farrugia said.

He also said it was unacceptable that the policy makes it possible for the government to make unilateral decisions to limit or ban hunting and trapping based on an arbitrary evaluation of over-exploitation of species.

“In order to live up to its declared aims, the NEP should state clearly and without equivocation that binding decisions on major issues will not be put into effect without the full agreement of  all the stakeholders,” Farrugia said.