You have not kept your word on hunting, Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi was told yesterday.

The caller was a man of few words who called in on Radio 101.

Replying, Dr Gonzi said that Malta had obtained a specific agreement from the EU prior to accession.

But every time birds that should not be hunted are shot, as happened recently with flamingos, and every time the media locally or abroad carry stories about rampant abuse, the Commission comes back and tells Malta that if the agreement is not adhered to, it will withdraw its concessions.

It is for this reason that the government has come out with further regulations now. Dr Gonzi said he still believes that if everyone acts in fairness with each other, there will be no need for the Commission to withdraw the concessions.