Malta shies away from trapping after European Commission's warning

“The government has acted responsibly by not opening a season until the necessary justification is at hand. This will however take time and it is therefore highly unlikely that any trapping season could be opened this year,” Nicholas Barbara, BirdLife conservation and policy Officer and Ornis Committee member, said.

The Government's decision comes after the European Commission last June challenged Malta's autumn trapping season through a Letter of Formal Notice which started infringement proceedings against Malta.

The Commission took this action as trapping is not permitted under the EU Birds Directive and can only take place under a derogation. As exemptions to clauses in EU law, derogations can only be applied by member states in exceptional circumstances and subject to strict specific conditions.

The Office of the Prime Minister yesterday announced a hunting season under similar conditions to last year, but no trapping season will be opened before an informed recommendation is made by the Ornis Committee.

The Committee will have to further study the trapping derogation for Turtle Dove, Quail, Golden Plover and Song Thrush, which has been applied since Malta joined the EU in 2004.

“This shows that there is currently not enough data to support Malta's application of a trapping derogation or justification of previous trapping derogations. It is going to be very difficult to prove that Malta's circumstances and conditions satisfy those of the Birds Directive,” Barbara said.

On joining the EU, Malta agreed to phase out finch trapping to bring national legislation in line with the Birds Directive.

This period ended in December 2008 and since then no finch trapping season has opened, however government has continued to permit the yearly trapping of Turtle Dove, Quail, Golden Plover and Song Thrush – a move now challenged by the European Commission.