With reference to the report Hunting Figures Raise Eyebrows In Brussels (May 6), the European Commission wishes to make very clear that the only comment it made when approached by The Times was that it was awaiting a report on the outcome of the spring hunting season from the Maltese authorities.

This article contained alleged quotes from what it described as “officials close to the Commission’s Environment Directorate”. The Commission has no knowledge of any of its officials in either Brussels or Valletta having spoken to The Times beyond the comment referred to previously.

Editor’s note:

The article in question clearly distinguished between official comments through the Commission spokesman and informal comments that came through sources which also, but not solely, include EU officials who are not official spokesmen. As is common practice, The Times does not reveal the names of its sources.