The Federation of Hunters, Trappers and Conservationists (FKNK) said yesterday that the line of action adopted by the European Commission and the European Parliament was unethical and unfair.

In a statement it issued in reaction to Thursday’s EP vote for a resolution that appealed to the Maltese government to comply with the EU directive on the protection of wild birds, with relevant community law and with the accession treaty, FKNK said the EU was targeting Malta, being the smallest member state.

The federation said the EU was categorically and unilaterally impeding the Maltese government from making use of the opportunities available in European directives, particularly Directive 79/409/EEC, by curtailing its efforts to support acceptable hunting and trapping practices that could be proven to be of no negative impact to the conservation status of any species.

FKNK said the resolution would definitely put more pressure on the commission, which in turn would increase pressure for a clear-cut reply from the Maltese government to justify spring hunting and trapping.

It added that the resolution would not mean that the government would have to revoke its decision regarding open seasons for spring hunting and trapping of turtledove and quail.

Furthermore, said the federation, the resolution did not remove the right for any Maltese government, now and in the future, to apply derogations from the Birds Directive.

FKNK was critical of the European Commission for not having commented on the promises made by the Maltese government to hunters and trappers before accession.

“The commission,” the FKNK said, “must have lost its vocal chords in 2004 when it was well aware of such promises.”

Following Thursday’s EP vote, the federation said its determination would intensify.

“We will fight any sector that will go to any unscrupulous length in a bid to abolish traditional socio-cultural passions of hunting and trapping in Malta,” said the federation.

It added it was conscious that the European Commission was wary of any decision it could take regarding an acceptance of the principle of spring hunting and trapping in Malta – even if it could be proven to be acceptable and within the parameters of Directive 79/409/EEC – due to the effect that this could have on larger member states.