The FKNK hunters' federation have come out against the opinion of the ECJ Advocate General on finch trapping in Malta and Gozo, stating that it is mistaken, unjust and discriminatory.

Last week, Eleanor V. E. Sharpston, Advocate General (AG) at the European Court of Justice in Luxembourg, delivered her Opinion to the ECJ in the court case the European Commission initiated against Malta on the trapping of seven species of wild finches. The Opinion states that the present trapping arrangements do not respect Malta's obligations under EU law.

Raymond Cordina, an FKNK representative, today said that the AG's reasoning does not address Malta's defence of trapping on technical, scientific, legal and enforcement grounds.

Cordina argued that the AG also ignored contributions by the Wild Bird Regulation Unit (WBRU), which forms part of Malta's defence.

He argued that there are other countries in the EU who use the same traditional trapping methods as Malta. He mentioned Austria as an example, stating that it obtained recognition for a particular form of trapping as an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNCESCO.

He asked why there are so many obstacles to Malta applying a derogation to protect its traditions. 

The AG, Cordina said, also ignored the national bag limit of 27,000 birds, and that the season is suspended once that limit is reached.