Last updated at 6.38pm with hunters' statement.

“Research on finches” has been considered favourably by the government and will continue, the hunters' federation has said. 

Last week, NGO BirdLife welcomed the repeal of legal notice allowing for the continuation of finch trapping by hunters under the guise of scientific research. 

Birdlife’s statement came after the Ornis committee failed to greenlight the opening of another finch trapping season. 

Times of Malta reported in August how hunters had been asked to apply for another catch-and-release ‘study’ despite Brussels having warned Malta to stop the practice or face possible court action.

The scheme was first introduced last year after the European Commission effectively banned a regular season.

But in a statement late on Tuesday, the hunters’ federation, FKNK, said that the arguments it moved in the Malta Ornis Committee, were considered favourably by Minister Clint Camilleri who is responsible for hunting, and the “research” will continue as from Wednesday (today).

The FKNK said it is shocking how the European Commission, which is made up of people who are not elected by the European people, continues to obstruct and create obstacles even in the field of research.

The research, it insisted, will have no negative effect on any species, but will continue to provide more valuable information on the passage of finches over the Maltese islands.

“This EC attitude is also further undermining the EC's own prejudices about the regional hunting and trapping traditions of member states, especially of those member countries and regions within the Mediterranean basin, including Malta, the hunters insisted.

They added that the European Union must accept the diversity of the customs, habits and practices of its members and see that they are safeguarded.

The news was also welcomed on Facebook by the hunters' group Kaċċaturi San Ubertu.

In a statement on Wednesday morning, the government said that after considering the Ornis Committee recommendation, which left the decision to the government, it held a meeting with the European Commission and following that prepared a new regulatory base that addresses the absolute majority of the Commission’s criticism against the project.

The season is opening for the trapping of song thrush between Wednesday and December 31 and for the trapping of golden plover from November 1 to January 10.

A national quota of 5,000 song thrushes and 700 golden plovers has been set.

The government said it is implementing safeguards to make sure that finches are being checked, recorded and ringed for the research to be studied by qualified people who would track their movements as soon as they are released.

All those participating in this study should, as from this year:

• Report the species and number amount of birds caught as soon as they are released;
• Take note of all details in the ringing application;
• Report ringed catches the day they are made;
• Ideally film the birds being released from the same spot they were caught; and
• Report any research efforts if taking part in the project but no birds are caught.

Guidelines are available on freephone 80002020, the government said.

The FKNK augured that the research period would be deservedly enjoyed  by the participating trappers with strict observance of the law and the relative regulations.  

"It is important that the results of the research are as successful as they were last year," it said. 

The FKNK urged participating trappers to read, understand and follow all instructions in the documents that the WBRU is sending by registered mail to participants.