The Ornis Committee has turned down an FKNK “research project” which would have allowed all licensed trappers to trap turtle doves over a two week period next month; a decision which the hunters’ lobby has cried foul about.

In a statement, the FKNK noted that at its last meeting, the Ornis Committee had voted in favour of a research project submitted by another hunters’ organisation by virtue of which, five trappers, chosen by the same organisation, might have the privilege to trap turtle doves during the whole two-month period of April and May this spring of 2022.

The hunters’ organisation in question was not named by the FKNK.

“During the same Committee meeting, the Committee however turned down a similar research project submitted by the Federation for Hunting and Conservation – Malta (FKNK), by benefit of which, all licenced Maltese and Gozitan trappers would have been given the opportunity, at their sole discretion, to trap turtle doves for 14 half-days this April 2022,” the FKNK said.

The FKNK questioned whether, by this decision, the Ornis Committee was employing “two weights, two measures.”

“In this regard, the FKNK stands by its established policy which does not accept discriminatory treatment among trappers,” it said.