Updated 4.30pm with Birdlife reaction

The police have dismissed a criminal complaint by Birdlife Malta claiming that licences for spring hunting were issued illegally. In reaction, Birdlife said it is considering taking the issue to the courts. 

The complaint was filed on Wednesday and the government had reacted by saying that it was unfounded. The hunters' federation (FKNK) late on Wednesday said it had requested an urgent meeting with the police. It insisted that the licences were issued according to law by the Wild Birds Regulation Unit.

In a brief statement on Thursday the police said that after close examination of the application and the circumstances, it had concluded that there were no grounds for action. 

On Wednesday, Birdlife board member Daryl Grima said that hunting licences issued by the Gozo ministry were invalid, as the law required the Environment Minister to issue the licences. 

Birdlife also argued that European legislation mandated issues related to wildlife and conservation to environmental ministries. 

In a reaction on Thursday to the police decision, Birdlife said that Acting Police Commissioner Carmelo Magri in his reply to its complaint had said that it was not his remit to establish if hunting licences were issued illegally, thus indirectly suggesting that the issue be taken to court.

The acting police commissioner concluded by suggesting that the state
had ad hoc institutions which were legally empowered to verify the validity of
laws.

Birdlife said it was seeking advice on the best way forward to address the issue at the law courts.

It said that no spinning of facts or intimidation would stop it from doing what was within its legal rights as part of civil society. It also insisted that its only interest was the protection of the natural environment for the benefit of the common good.