‘No beating about the bush’, AD tells politicians on spring hunting

Politicians should take a clear stand on spring hunting, allowing the electorate to know where they stand with each party, Alternattiva Demokratika said.

“Whilst it is clear that the spring hunting issue will be decided by the people in the referendum that they have asked and worked for, it is the duty of politicians to take a clear position and make their opinion clearly known to the people,” AD chairperson Arnold Cassola said.

The AD was reacting to comments made by leader of the Opposition Simon Busuttil during a political activity in Gozo on Monday evening.

The PN leader said that politicians should not get themselves involved in the hunting controversy. He argued that the matter should be decided by the citizens.

The Electoral Commission is currently verifying the 45,000 signatures collected by the Coalition Against Spring Hunting (CASH) petitioning an abrogative referendum.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has meanwhile expressed his support to spring hunting, telling Gozitans that promises made to trappers will also be honoured. The Labour leader has however insisted that an abrogative referendum was not at the discretion of politicians and it is the electorate that has the last word.

Cassola has insisted that politicians should make their principles clearly known and to be clear about what they stand for.

“Sitting on the fence and keeping mum about important national issues is tantamount to admitting that politicians have abdicated their responsibility to stand for values and principles,” he said.

AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo pointed out that the green party was always consistent throughout its 25 years of existence, campaigning for the abolishment of spring hunting.

“Unfortunately, as a result of backroom deals between the hunting lobby and the parties in parliament, Malta is now facing this mess. This mess can only be cleared up by a popular vote through an abrogative referendum in the coming months,” he said.