SHout campaign ‘sets facts straight’ over hunters’ false claims

SHout, the Spring Hunting Out campaign today released a document to refute false claims made by hunters about the referendum to abolish spring hunting.

“The hunters are trying to mislead the public by spreading misinformation about spring hunting and frightening others by telling people that if they vote NO to abolish spring hunting, their hobbies will be next,” campaign coordinator Romina Tolu said. “We trust that voters will realise that the scaremongering and false claims being made by hunters is happening because they do not have any real justification for calling on people to vote in favour of keeping spring hunting.”

The Spring Hunting Out Campaign also announced more ambassadors who will be supporting a NO vote to stop spring hunting. “Joining Moira Delia, Saviour Balzan, Joseph Mangion, Seb Tanti Burlo, Frank Zammit, Renzo Spiteri, Nick Morales, Carina Camilleri and Iggy Fenech are Pierre Portelli, Coryse Borg and Edward Caruana Dingli,” the campaign coordinator said.

SHout said that abrogative referendum was the most democratic tool citizens had, with everyone's vote being equal and valid: “It is therefore right for people to stand up and make their voices heard on this issue. The Spring Hunting Out Campaign ambassadors are courageous enough to speak out. It is extremely encouraging to have many high profile Maltese from all walks of life supporting the campaign.”

Sliema local councilor Pierre Portelli said that he was voting NO because he honestly believed that “we ought to let migrating birds live and not be killed in spring”. 

“Hunting in spring cannot be considered a fair sport, the sheer density of hunters in the Maltese countryside equipped with firearms is extremely destructive,” Maltese swimmer Edward Caruana Dingli said.

"While many hunters abide by the rules, unfortunately there are those who not only flaunt but break them. It is not just Turtle Dove and Quail which end up being targeted in the spring hunting seasons. They hunt other breeds that are migrating, and are therefore contributing to the decimation of these species,” Coryse Borg added.

The ‘No’ campaign said the referendum was the people’s chance to make a difference and to do the right thing for birds, for people's right to enjoy their countryside, for Malta: “So say 'NO' to lies and deceit, 'NO' to the bullies, and vote 'NO' to get spring hunting out.”