The situation is clear. In three days, hunters have shot at two different protected species. And these are only the incidents that we know about.

The issue is clear. The Prime Minister must take action – the Spring hunting season should be closed and closed for good. Following the announcement of the referendum result, the Prime Minister said that if there is evidence that ‘flagrant abuse’ is taking place.

Well, it is clear that flagrant abuse is taking place. The Spring Hunting season, which officially closes on 30 April has been open for three days – and in those three days, two protected birds were shot out of the sky.

The first was a cuckoo which was shot on Wednesday and the second incident involved a Lapwing which was shot in Birzebbuga yesterday. This is not sustainable and this is full on abuse being committed by those very hunters which promised the people of Malta that they would abide by the rules and stick to turtle dove and quail.

The hunter who was charged in court and fined €2,500 on Wednesday – whose mates are incidentally organising a collection to help him pay the fine – used the excuse that the cuckoo looked very much like a turtle dove and he shot it by accident. The court did not give him the benefit of the doubt and neither will we. But the lapwing – just from some quick research on the internet – looks nothing like a turtle dove or a quail for that matter. It is a very distinctive bird.

Through his lawyer, Shaun Demicoli said that he did not intend to shoot a protected bird. He argued that the bird is only protected in Spring. We cannot understand this reasoning. He knew very well that he could only shoot quail and turtle dove – as well as everyone else does – so why did he shoot it? Our guess would be bloodlust. And on the same note, we also have to question what the police are doing giving a permit to use a shotgun to a man who is out on bail, accused of attempted murder? The court imprisoned the accused for three months, but this was because he was relapser. However, it is becoming increasingly clear that the courts are implementing the PM’s warning with vigour and throwing the book at those who are found guilty of abuse. But on the other hand, yesterday’s hearing also shows how fickle our justice system is, in terms of the accused filing an appeal and being allowed to go home.

There is no alternative. The Prime Minister must take action and he must take it swiftly. Maybe the government is waiting for a case of three strikes and you are out, but the pattern has obviously been set. While the FKNK yesterday argued that it was hunters themselves who reported the incident. But that is not enough. It is clear that abuse is always going to take place and hunters have no one to blame but those who commit such acts repeatedly. It also makes us wonder what used to go on in past years when enforcement was not so effective.

This simply cannot go on. These are neither quail, nor turtledove. These are protected species which are being killed while on their way to breed in the North. There is only one option. Close the Spring Hunting season now. And make sure that every possible police officer is mobilised to patrol the countryside, because it is clear that some hunters still think they can act with impunity.