BirdLife Malta has written to the Ornis Committee, which is meeting today, urging its members to reject any decision for a spring hunting season this year.

The letter, signed by president Joseph Mangion and conservation manager Andre Raine, who represent BirdLife on the committee, was sent in reaction to the agenda that was circulated to the committee in advance of today’s meeting, BirdLife said.

It warned that “since the spring hunting issue is now being taken to the European Court of Justice, and since the Maltese government has publicly announced that it will defend its position in court, it is now the government’s responsibility to decide whether or not it will allow another spring hunting and trapping season in 2008”.

The Environment Minister has said he is waiting for the Ornis Committee’s recommendation regarding the opening of a spring hunting season. Mr Mangion said that now that the spring hunting issue “is being referred to the European Court, the government should not attempt to put the burden on the Ornis Committee, but should shoulder the responsibility of its decisions fully”.