Second hunting association to object to hunting referendum

Kaccaturi San Ubertu have lodged their objections in Court to the holding of a referendum to abrogate legislation that regulates the use of derogation form the Birds Directive to permit limited and strictly supervised hunting of turtle dove and quail in spring.

“The said derogation is a right given to Malta in line with European Directives following a ruling by the European Court of Justice that determined the specific circumstances of the hunting of the two species in Malta as opposed to the rest of the European States,” hunters KSU said.

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has already sent signals that he may be considering a direct plea by the hunters for a standalone referendum, by proposing a deferral of next March’s local council elections until 2019. Whether or not this is the motive, to date the government has not given any clear roadmap as to how this referendum – which is mandated by the Constitution – will be held.

It is now up to the courts to decide whether the referendum can be held.