BirdLife Malta has issued a statement on Facebook, slamming the ORNIS Committee for 'rubber stamping Cabinet's decision to open a spring hunting season.'

"People are being asked to stay home, shops and offices are closed, strict fines are being imposed on whoever goes against quarantine regulations enacted by law, but hunting will go ahead and hunters will still be able to roam the countryside this spring shooting at birds," BirdLife Malta said.

"As was widely anticipated, the ORNIS Committee has just rubber stamped Prime Minister Robert Abela's Cabinet decision for a spring hunting season for Quail (Summiena) to be opened, in spite of the COVID-19 crisis and the calls made by BirdLife Malta, BirdLife International CEO Patricia Zurita, Committee Against Bird Slaughter (CABS) and Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party not to open the season this year. The season will be opened between 10th and 30th April, from two hours before sunrise till noon with the quota set at 5,000 Quail."

"The decision to recommend a spring hunting season for Quail was taken at an ORNIS meeting which took place via video conferencing and which has just ended. The Environment & Resources Authority (ERA) representative supported BirdLife Malta by voting against the opening of any spring hunting in Malta this season. Wild Birds Regulation Unit (WBRU) officers read out letters stating that police do not have the necessary resources and this was of a major concern, especially to ERA. The hunting lobby representative together with the three independent members appointed by Gozo Minister Clint Camilleri together with the Chairman voted in favour. The ball is now in the court of the Government to decide whether it is accepting the committee's recommendation - and we obviously don't in any way foresee that it will be refused."

"Police sources have also in the last 24 hours warned about the unnecessary strain opening a hunting season will put on resources to be able to carry out enforcement at a time when police and security forces are overstretched trying to cope with the Coronavirus situation. This was confirmed by the head of WBRU during today's ORNIS Committee meeting. Malta is obliged to adhere to strict conditions to derogate from the EU Birds Directive and open a spring hunting season, including that for every 1,000 hunters there should be seven police officers to see that the law is enforced. It remains to be seen how this will be implemented."