FKNK refuse to sack hunter who admitted breaking law

The hunters’ federation (FKNK) yesterday refused to bow to Birdlife’s demand to step down from the board monitoring Malta’s spring hunting derogation or kick out a member who has admitted wrongdoing. Edwin Vella, an FKNK district official, admitted in court on Monday to entering the Foresta 2000 nature reserve with a loaded gun. In yesterday’s derogation monitoring board meeting, Birdlife challenged the federation to revoke Mr Vella’s membership or remove itself from the board, but the hunters refused. “They were furious at the suggestion,” Birdlife Malta executive director Steve Micklewright said. “If they won’t act it makes it very difficult for us to be a part of the board. He has broken the law. They are making excuses for a member in a position of responsibility which goes against their promise of zero tolerance to-wards illegalities.” As he left the meeting, FKNK press officer Joseph Buttigieg said Mr Vella was a district committee member who entered the nature reserve to collect a turtle dove he had shot from outside. The FKNK would not be stepping down from the board or revoking Mr Vella’s membership, he confirmed. The board includes representatives from Birdlife, the...