Labour MEPs openly backed by hunting lobby

Hunters’ federation FKNK has announced it is supporting Gozitan candidate for MEP Clint Camilleri, Labour incumbent Joseph Cuschieri, and candidate Charlon Gouder.

The three Labour candidates were reported by the FKNK of having committed themselves to “do their utmost so that the rights, interests and legal privileges of hunters and trappers will be at par with those of European counterparts.”

The FKNK said the MEPs had committed themselves not to allow the “socio-cultural traditions” of hunting and trapping to be undermined.

“We have also noted statements made by Marlene Mizzi, Alfred Sant and Deborah Schembri who have shown heir support for the hunting tradition if elected,” the FKNK said.

FKNK chief executive Lino Farrugia had contested the European elections in 2004, but charted miserably in the hustings. The hunters have been granted important concessions under the Labour government, even though penalties against poaching have been severely harshened since the last spring hunting season.