Greens vow to 'consign spring hunting to history books'

The Green Party Chairperson Arnold Cassola today pledged full support to the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting, underling the party’s commitment towards environmental protection and safeguarding everybody’s right to enjoy public spaces.

Commenting on the next steps following the presentation of 45,000 signatures demanding an abrogative referendum which “will consign spring hunting to the history books,” Cassola said that “AD will continue to monitor the abrogative referendum process closely and give its full support to the coalition.”

He added that “nature protection and enjoyment of the countryside and other public spaces is at the top of AD's agenda and we will continue to work in this direction, both at national level and at EU level, particularly if elected following next May's election."

Addressing a press conference in Valletta, AD deputy chairman Carmel Cacopardo, said that AD had cooperated with twelve environmental NGOs in what is to date the largest environmental coalition in Malta.

“The results attained so far are ample enough proof that the pro-environmental forces on the island need to cooperate on more issues as they are the only ones who really care. AD is the only political party which throughout the years has taken a clear stand against spring hunting. The other parties, PN and PL have sought agreements with hunters’ lobby groups to time and again permit them to decimate the bird population when this is most in need of protection.”

He added that through the abrogative referendum the Green Party and its partners in the Coalition will ensure that the 2014 Spring Hunting Season will be the last one.

AD’s spokesperson on animal welfare Simon Galea described the presentation of the 45,000 signatures as “a special day for civil society which stood up to be counted.”

While insisting that protecting the natural environment for the enjoyment of all is society's right, Galea pointed out that “sadly enough both PL and PN have throughout the years given their blessing to this killing of birds on their way to their breeding grounds. AD, on the other hand, has consistently striven against this unsustainable practice which not only poses a negative impact on bird conservation but also denies us all the right to enjoy nature during spring."