Issue link: https://maltatoday.uberflip.com/i/1528582
maltatoday | SUNDAY • 27 OCTOBER 2024 4 INTERVIEW Lucas Micallef: 'Trappers are interested in research because birds are their passion' FEDERAZZJONI Kaċċaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti (FKNK) president Lucas Micallef believes bird trappers are truly interested in research be- cause it allows them to keep pursuing their passion. In an interview with MaltaToday, Micallef says trappers are less inter- ested in the actual capture of birds and are more concerned with preserving their lifestyle. I sit down with Micallef at the FKNK premises a few days after government reopened the finch trapping season despite a European court decision upholding a ban on the practice. The judgment struck down the scientif- ic research derogation applied by the Maltese government to justify trap- ping. Micallef is unfazed. "The Commis- sion is attacking the derogation which allows research, and this opens Pan- dora's box," he tells me. When asked whether one can guar- antee that registered bird trappers truly abide by regulations, the FKNK president says no one can be absolute- ly certain that there will be no abuse. Incidentally, a day after this interview was filmed, news broke of an FKNK council member who was caught ille- gally trapping birds outside of the sea- son. He has since been sacked from his post within the hunting lobby. Micallef notes that Malta's small size is an advantage because it facilitates accountability. Despite the FKNK embracing con- servation in its name, the organisation is noticeably absent in protests against environmental degradation and other issues that also impact hunters. Mi- callef acknowledges this but states that the hunting lobby finds it difficult to protest side by side with "those who want to kick us when we're already down." Lucas Micallef is unfazed by a European court ruling against finch trapping for scientific reasons. The head of Malta's largest hunting organisation, FKNK tells Matthew Farrugia trappers will comply with research parameters because they love birds. He also speaks about the FKNK's reluctance to protest environmental degradation side by side with groups that want hunting abolished.