Updated | Alternattiva Demokratika, BirdLife join forces in anti-hunting coalition

Eleven organisations form lobby against spring hunting, hunters' federation boss Lino Farrugia not aware of coalition.

27 July 2013, 12:00am
by Staff Reporter

2 min read

Adds Minister Leo Brincat's reaction at 09:00

A coalition in favour of the abolition of spring hunting has been established.

Its objectives are to ensure that spring hunting is brought to an end in Malta as soon as possible. The coalition will do this through lobbying both in Malta and at a European level.

The Coalition is made up of eleven organisations: Alternattiva Demokratika, Birdlife Malta, Coalition for Animal Rights, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Moviment Graffiti, Greenhouse Malta, Nature Trust (Malta) and the Ramblers Association of Malta.

A spokesperson said the Coalition has begun the collection of signatures for an abrogative referendum relative to spring hunting legislation.

"The Coalition is focusing on the abolition of spring hunting because it is the time of year when birds are most vulnerable. They are migrating through Malta on their way to breed. A bird saved in spring has the chance to breed and increase the bird population."

Asked for his reaction, outspoken hunters' federation secretary-general Lino Farrugia told MaltaToday that he wasn't aware of the coalition's creation and did not have any comments at this stage.

Meanwhile, AD welcomed the coalition in favour of abolition of Spring hunting and chairperson Arnold Cassola said: "This coalition is a living example of the strength of civil society since it brings together reputable organisations from different walks of life, ranging from animal welfare groups to environmental groups, citizens' concern NGOs to Ramblers' Association."

He added that Alternattiva Demokratika pledged to give all the support needed to the Coalition in the collection of signatures for an abrogative referendum on Spring hunting.

"Thank you again to all the NGOs involved for the great service you are giving to the country," Cassola said.

Reacting to questions by MaltaToday, Minister for Sustainable Development, the Environment, and Climate Change Leo Brincat held that while respecting everyone's right to express their views on the subject of hunting, the Government is equally committed to respect the strong electoral mandate given in the March general elections.

More from Staff Reporter

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The aim is to have a referendum that will enable the voting public to primarily decide whether: 1. birds should be give the opportunity to reproduce before they can be hunted in Autumn (i.e. sustainability). 2. the public countryside should be free from the factual dangers of men weilding and using shotguns, during the Spring when it is the best time for families to enjoy quality time together in a healthy environment. Lastly this overdue referendum has nothing to do with one political party or another, although it is evident that neither the PL nor the PN, will EVER responsibly address similar issues, but will conveniently let themselves be held at ransom by an egositic lobby sick with their destructive obsession, at teh detriment of sensibility, reasonableness and the overriding common good.

Emmanuel Mallia •

AD are a bunch of servants serving the interests of the EU and Germany. I am no hunter, but I hate being discriminated by the EU. The EU never condemned Spanish Bullfighting ! The EU actually give indirect funds for bullfighting in the form of tourism aid. Strong with Malta, easygoing with Spain, the blue eyed boy of the EU !!!

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Both PN and PL have been unable to stand up to hunters and abolish spring hunting so it is good that our NGOs have finally taken the initiative. What the politicians failed to do will be achieved by a popular referendum. This has nothing to do with the EU - it is a MALTESE initiative and it will be the MALTESE electorate that abolishes spring hunting. Leave the EU out of it.

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Mr Arnold Cassola of the AD will agree to anything that would earn him free publicity and that is where it ends. I am very surprised he has not jumped on the Armier Caravan Band Wagon. Not yet because there is no positive side yet. Mr Cassola should have kept Mr Biguglio on his team.

Emmanuel Mallia •

And the torturing, slow death of bulls in Spain ???

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Beyond any doubt I am against hunting where it leaves birds wounded to die at sea or killed for the sport of it. I am all in favor against hunting, I will sign any petition in favor of stopping hunting. The question arise will these birds have a chance to survive in Mainland Europe? I suggest to all concerned to go on Goggle and search Hunting in Europe. Is this all happening once again the U.E. is picking on the small and weak with the big countries?

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If you occupy private land it is common sense to the most of us that you would be doing so against the law, that is why they call it public and not private land. The commissioner should give these settlers two weeks time to vacate the land and return it to it's original state and move one the vacate all those who are occupying private land around Malta an Gozo once and for all.

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We should then also have a referndum about elimination of fireworks, remove karozzini from the roads,banning of circuses, armier boathouses,boatpeople(clandestini) ect ect

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Good luck.....way forward. 100% behind you. Maybe the bullies ( with a gun ) will be obliterated once and for all.

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Before asking for a referendum can some of these NGOs say how much EU funds they get. They want a referendum to abrogate spring hunting. Why? If it does not infringe EU regulations, their shouting is for nothing. Malta has derogate for spring hunting and the EU found nothing bad. May I suggest that whoever signs the petition pay at least €2 to fund the referendum. I don't want useless referendum paid out of my taxes.

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Please tell me where to sign.

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There s nothing wrong in hunting for gammien and summien as they are eaten by hunters. If you want to ban spring hunting or hunting altogether you d might as well ban the consumption of meat altogether. What is needed is proper enforcement of the current legislation with regards hunting. AD and Birdlife should leave the poor hunters alone.

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Although I'm not a hunter in a referendum I'll vote a big NO, because we have to respect each other and not looking to one side of the coin. A tradition/sports call it what you like cannot be abolished as simple as that. Hunting and trapping can be abolished through education by educating our children from the very first years at school. It proved right with trapping Robbins right or I'm wrong. Of course I'm right there where we must begin.