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Lorem ipsum Għal Pajjiżna. 2 NEWS 2 NEWS 2 maltatoday | THURSDAY • 28 MAY 2026 NEWS ELECTION 2026 CONTINUES FROM PAGE 1 Micallef explained that the FKNK wished to introduce more "proportionality" in pun- ishments handed down to hunt- ers and trappers who are found guilty of minor infractions such as having trapping sites outside of their designated areas. The FKNK president stated that the logic behind the pro- posed amendments comes from a fairness standpoint, pointing to the decriminalisation of drugs as an example of how penalties for other offences have been lowered in recent years. Micallef added that the FKNK also wished to remove lifetime hunting bans for first-time of- fenders, and that those who've had their licences revoked for life should have a chance to ap- ply for their licence again. On Wednesday, Economy Minister Silvio Schembri came under fire after suggesting that a PL government will move to make amendments to fines and hunting licence revocations for hunters who break the law. "We know we need to make the next step, especially when it comes to fines and the lifetime revocation of licences, even those whose licence was already revoked," he told a crowd of trappers and hunters during a campaign event. In replies to questions sent by MaltaToday, a Justice Ministry spokesperson said the reforms were placed on the ORNIS Committee in the past, and that a commitment in favour of these amendments was made on more than one occasion by the prime minister. Last June, the ORNIS Commit- tee voted in favour of reducing penalties for illegal hunting. The Justice Ministry did not respond to a question on why such amendments, which still need to be enacted, were not in- cluded in the PL's manifesto. The manifesto only mentions hunting and trapping in two proposals. One of which prom- ises to continue defending Mal- ta's finch trapping derogation from the EU while safeguarding hunting and trapping. The pro- posal also states that a PL gov- ernment would work with the hunting and trapping commu- nity on environmental restora- tion projects to help local wild species. Last year, the European Com- mission confirmed that Mal- ta's finch-trapping derogation is not in line with EU law. The second proposal states that the PL believes "future generations should have the opportunity to continue participating in rural activities in a sustainable and responsible manner." The pro- posal adds that the PL would en- hance the breeding and release programme of turtledoves. FKNK president says logic behind the proposed amendments 'comes from a fairness standpoint' FKNK President Lucas Micallef