The hunters’ federation yesterday called on the Prime Minister to investigate the way in which pre-accession hunting and trapping regulations had been negotiated with the European Union.

Furthermore, given recent comments published on the issue, the Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti (FKNK) also called on the government to request a re-negotiation with the EU on hunting and trapping.

The FKNK issued its request in a letter sent to Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi, signed by FKNK president Joseph Buttigieg, and made available to the media yesterday.

The FKNK observed in its letter to Dr Gonzi: “Your government had appointed Mr (Saviour) Balzan with a clear brief to ensure an uninterrupted and unchanged practice of the traditions, with special emphasis on spring hunting and trapping.”

The FKNK yesterday deemed Mr Balzan’s actions as “disloyal” and warranting an “investigation at the highest levels”.

It added how on 16 May, Mr Balzan, editor of the MaltaToday newspaper, wrote in his column “…had it not been for me, we would not have reached the stage that hunting and trapping no longer takes place in spring.”

Contacted yesterday for a reaction, Mr Balzan commented he was not in the habit of reading FKNK press releases and that he himself boycotts such material.

The FKNK had recoiled at the remark and at a press conference held shortly after, it had branded Mr Balzan a “traitor to the Maltese people, as well as to the government which employed him to negotiate, in good faith, with the EU over the Birds Directive.”

“The Prime Minister should be investigating other matters, not me,” Mr Balzan added, while clarifying that “I was never a negotiator in the first place, I was a technical consultant.”

The federation yesterday rekindled the stance and expressed its opinion to the Prime Minister that “besides revealing the disloyal actions of Mr Balzan (the comments) deserve the highest level of investigation.”

“The FKNK on behalf of all Maltese and Gozitan hunters and trappers, calls upon your office to immediately investigate Saviour Balzan, who notwithstanding being paid by Maltese taxpayers money to carry out a clear-cut mission as negotiator on behalf of the Maltese government, is now admitting that he did exactly the opposite probably to satisfy his personal agenda,” Mr Buttigieg added in his correspondence.

He continued, “Furthermore and on the basis of this information that has now been brought to light, your government has to request the re-negotiation of these particular issues.”