The hunting and trapping issue has, over the past two decades, always been a hot potato in Malta, given the strong hold the hunters and trappers federation has over its members - a federation which today has evolved into a lobby group that is strong enough to sway election outcomes and get candidates elected.

During the past few days, the news of what I refer to as an unfair decision by the government to close the hunting season until 10 October has been making the rounds in the media and prompted several reactions from different entities, including protests by the hunters themselves in Valletta. While the official reason for closing the hunting season was that this needed to be done to protect birds of prey flying over Malta, from where I stand, this seems to be too much of a harsh decision and a collective punishment, as it also punishes those who abide by the stipulated rules. Moreover, the government said that this closure would serve as a warning to the 'criminals', for whom the fines and court action was not too much of a deterrent.

First and foremost, before delving any deeper into the topic, one cannot but condemn the use of violence by protestors, the foul language used and the insults hurled during these events. Such incidents will certainly not help the Hunters and Trappers Federation cause, whose only objective is to safeguard this pastime for its members. On the contrary, this minority of hunters only helps increase the prejudice that hunters nowadays face from society at large. It will also damage the cause if and when the issue goes to the polls in a referendum. Alas, regrettably much damage has already been done by this minority and several media houses have already vowed to take an active part to mobilize the vote when the referendum is held.

Personally, I think that before deciding to impose such bans on hunting, the government ought to consider placing greater emphasis on enforcement. In other words, I think that the government should focus more on preventing the shooting of protected birds rather than reacting to situations where the harm would already have been done.

Secondly, I believe that punishing those hunters who are abiding and have abided by the laws does not make any sense - this also in light of the fact that the incidents happened during the ordinary hunting season and not when the season was open by derogation. Furthermore, this government now faces the prospect of legal battles in court being instituted by the hunters' federation - who have vowed to fight to protect their right to continue to enjoy their 'hobby' within the boundaries stipulated by law. In this regard, I feel that it is about time that discrimination by collective punishment against legal hunters should stop. This is unjustified and unacceptable in my opinion.

Last but not least, I stand by what I said before the last European Parliament elections that hunting and trapping are still one of Malta's socio-cultural traditions and need to be appreciated. Furthermore, hunters and trappers have a lot to offer in terms of services regarding biodiversity, rural activities, sustainable hunting and trapping, environment conservation, the migration of birds, rearing and captive breeding and the re-introduction of birds into the wild. In this regard, it does not make any sense for the authorities to make an enemy of the FKNK and similar lobbies - seeing that they are major stakeholders in these fora.

In the light of the above, I augur that the issue between the government and the Hunters and Trappers Federation is resolved as soon as possible.

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