As had been promised, the government has beefed-up law enforcement during the open hunting season, taking it to new levels, “but BirdLife Malta are never satisfied”, the hunters’ federation, FKNK, said in a statement.

The number of police officers of the ALE (administrative law enforcement) unit has been increased substantially; the mounted police have been engaged; and army personnel have also been deployed. 

Never has Malta witnessed such security measures since the time of the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in 2005, which was also marked by the visit of Queen Elizabeth II; and since the opening of the hunting season on 1 September, around 1,800 spot checks on hunters in the field have been carried out.

Yet, BirdLife Malta (BLM), in total disrespect of the local authorities, has been reported as stating that “it had not seen the increased policing in the countryside promised by the government…” and, “without producing a single shred of evidence”, photographs or videos, still maintain that protected birds are being targeted.

Likewise, the FKNK is happy to report that it has received several reports of good influxes of migrating protected bird species, from raptors to herons and others over the Maltese islands, which have safely continued on their south-westerly flights.

The FKNK said it applauds its members in attaining this scenario and encourages them to keep it up.