Carmel Cacopardo, Deputy Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika and its spokesman on Sustainable Development and Home Affairs said that when Malta signed the treaty of adhesion to the EU, it committed itself to phasing out trapping in the Maltese islands. During these eight years, the government wasted its time and did not take any concrete measures to solve the issue of trapping in the interest of both trappers themselves and the  population at large, he said.

Mr Cacopardo pointed out that on February 27, the European Commission had emphasised the need for Malta to enhance the protection of birds migrating through malta in autumn. Commissioner Potocnik had issued a reasoned opinion in which he admonished Malta to implement properly  bird protection legislation. He also warned the government that the matter could be referred to the European Court of Justice should no reply be submitted.

In view of this, the government’s decision to issue regulations permitting trapping of the Song Thrush (malvizz) and the Golden Plover (pluviera) is "irresponsible" as the government is playing a political game with the trappers, Mr Cacopardo said.

AD went on to say that it condemns the actions of a government led by the Nationalist Party (PN) and supports Birdlife Malta for the serious way it has conducted itself.

Michael Briguglio, AD Chairperson, stated: “It is condemnable how both PN and the Labour Party (PL) try to dance to the tune of the hunters’ and trappers organisations when Malta’s entry into the EU had to bring about changes enhancing the protection of birds. AD is the only political party contesting the general election which has a clear policy on the rights and protection of animals."