The Conservationist Hunters and Trappers Federation (FKNK) urged hunters and trappers to be on the lookout for any directives which could be issued in the coming days.

The federation announced that it would immediately hold extraordinary meetings of the federation’s council in order to formulate effective actions that would lead towards the fulfillment of pledges made to Maltese and Gozitan hunters and trappers, even within the parameters of EU directives.

FKNK said a news conference it gave on the future of hunting and trapping, on 8 February, was received well by hunters and trappers.

Unfortunately, it added, the Rural Affairs and Environment Ministry did not have a similar reaction as it insisted in a statement that the federation should attend the ORNIS committee meetings.

The FKNK will not be attending ORNIS committee meetings in protest over the government’s failure to publish the amendments to Legal Notice 79/06 to permit hunting and trapping in spring.

The federation reminded Minister George Pullicino that nothing stood in his way of implementing the long awaited amendments under the legal notice, now also in the light of the documents presented by FKNK.

Given that time was passing, the federation said it would act in order to find a long-term solution. It said it would not settle for concessions for this year’s spring season.

Hunters and trappers, said the federation, should appreciate that its final interest was to safeguard the future of traditional hunting and trapping. It said it was important that an adequate serious decision accommodating all parties involved should be made.