The hunters’ and trappers’ federation, FKNK has accepted in talks with the Labour Party that the package negotiated with the EU for their sector is not negotiable and whatever the two sides agree on has to conform with European rules, a joint statement by the PL and the FKNK said yesterday.

The two sides have been having technical talks about the sector and agreed that the entire process must be accompanied by strict observance of the rules and regulations, with the FKNK helping the authorities to ensure that the irresponsible actions of a small minority does not damage the name of hunters and trappers in Malta.

The two sides agreed on six conclusions starting with the Ornis Committee, which “must be given its due importance in decisions taken”.

A derogation will be correctly applied for hunters and trappers to be given “the satisfactory solution due to them” according to the directive of the European Court of Justice about quail and turtle dove hunting in spring, and about the capture of the two species in the open season. No additional licence fees will be applied for any special licence that may be needed under some derogation.

A derogation will also be correctly applied for song birds and other birds species specified in regulations, within the framework of acceptable derogations in the EU.

A consultation process is to be started in the shortest time possible to review laws, legal notices and policies to eliminate uncertainties and ambiguities in local regulations, in respect of European rules. The hunting seasons during autumn and winter would be established beforehand.

A plan is to be drawn up to use and involve the resources of hunters and trappers to help biodiversity in the rural environment. More serious measures are also to be taken to enforce the law, to make sure that illegalities are not tolerated.