Updated - Birdlife warns it may leave hunting derogation monitoring board

Updated - Adds FKNK statement Birdlife said today that it may consider its membership of a government-appointed board monitoring the spring hunting derogation unless an 'FKNK official' was suspended by the federation. The 'official', Edwin Vella, was taken to court yesterday after allegedly hunting in Mellieha nature reserve. Birdlife executive director Steve Micklewright said that during the meeting he had called on FKNK to suspend Mr Vella or remove itself from the board, but the federation refused.  "This makes it very hard to be part of the advisory board. If FKNK do not suspend Edwin Vella then we will consider our participation on the board," he said.  He also reiterated the society's call for the government to close the Spring hunting season because of the violations which had been reported. Joseph Buttigieg, PRO of the hunters' federation (FKNK) confirmed that the federation did not plan to suspend Mr Vella. He said Mr Vella was not a senior official of the federation but involved in a district committee. He said he had been hunting outside the reserve and only entered the reserve to pick up a bird which had been shot. In a statement later, the FKNK said it would accept no...