The Ministry for Rural Affairs and the Environment has announced this year's autumn bird hunting and trapping seasons following recommendations made by the Ornis Committee - Hunting from the ground will be permitted between the 11th of September 2007 and the 31st of January 2008, whilst hunting at sea will be allowed from the 1st of October 2007 to the 31st of January 2008.

The trapping season for songbirds will be open from the 1st of October 2007 until the 31st of January 2008, whilst that of turtle doves and quail will open from the 1st of September 2007 to the 31st of January 2008. The trapping of blackbirds and golden plovers will be permissible between the 20th of October 2007 and the 10th of January 2008.

The government has also decreed that between the 15th and 30th of September, hunting from the ground will stop between 3pm and two hours before sunrise, with the exception of Sundays, where the activity will be allowed until 1pm as already stipulated by law. This decision was taken in a bid to curb abuses, as the majority of birds migrate during these days, late in the afternoon.

The government has also appealed for hunters and trappers to practice their pastime responsibly. Abuses could result in two years of prison or fines up to Lm6,000, along with the revocation of hunting permits and fire arms.