The hunters' federation has told the political parties it wants to see a system that would stop foreigners roaming the Maltese countryside as they please.

The federation also wants the reintroduction of licences for trapping and a system through which the FKNK could be funded from the fees paid for hunting and trapping.

The federation said it was also seeking a proper application of a derogation that would allow limited trapping of song birds in the autumn, the correct application of the derogation on spring hunting according to the judgment of the European Court with the removal of unnecessary restrictions which were not in EU rules.

Similarly, it is seeking correct application of a derogation to allow turtle dove hunting in the spring.

The federation said that other restrictions not found in EU rules should also be removed, including the ban on hunting after 3 pm in the second half of September and limitations on hunting from the seashore.

It said there should be a fixed spring/winter hunting season. The rules on hunting at sea also need to be updated.

It is also calling for an amnesty of stuffed birds along with a system to stop all abuse.

AD disagrees with hunters

In an immediate statement, Alternattiva Demokratika expressed its opposition to the FKNK proposals.

Spokesman Arnold Cassola said: "The request by the hunters' federation to stop foreigners roaming the Maltese countryside is unbelievable. Malta is a free country where public land belongs to everyone. Malta is also part of the European Union and therefore every Maltese and European has freedom of movement.

"It is ironic that while all Maltese are free to settle down, work or study in any of the 27 European countries, the hunters' federation is proposing blocking entrance to foreigners to certain parts of Malta. This is absurd."

AD chairman Michael Briguglio said his party wanted to abolish spring hunting, in line with the EU birds directive, and for continuous enforcement against hunting illegalities.