Environmental NGOs BirdLife Malta, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Flimkien Għall-Ambjent Aħjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation and Nature Trust Malta today urged EP candidates to refrain from making promises on spring hunting and trapping which they could not keep .

The NGOs said that the EU Birds Directive strictly forbade spring hunting in all member states, and the candidates who wished to represent Malta at the European Parliament should respect the EU nature conservation directives. Furthermore, the overwhelming majority in Malta was against spring hunting and the Maltese people expected their representatives in Brussels to work towards the protection of Europe's common natural heritage.

The NGOs also argued that Malta did not negotiate an exemption for spring hunting during the Accession Treaty negotiations, as clearly explained by the Environment Commission Stavros Dimas on several occasions. The only agreement Malta negotiated was the five-year transition period to phase out the trapping of seven finch species until the end of 2008, a deadline which has now passed.

"By making ludicrous statements in favour of spring hunting of Turtle Dove and Quail, when Malta is at the European Court of Justice for allowing this very practice, certain politicians in Malta are still relying on the same old cheap tactics to gain a few votes. Instead we expect them to lead by example by respecting international law and conservation science," said the NGOs.