Hunting federation to allow free vote

The Federation for Hunting and Conservation (FKNK) has decided not to take a stand on EU membership and is allowing hunters and trappers to vote as they deem fit.

"We will not be issuing any directive to our members to vote yes or no in the referendum. We will give them a clear factual picture of the situation and then it is up to them to take an intelligent decision," federation president Joe Buttigieg said.

He was yesterday answering questions from the press after a news conference at the Corinthia Palace Hotel, Attard to explain the position.

When pushed to say what the federation would say to a hunter seeking its advice, Mr Buttigieg replied "no comment", but the hunters present shouted down his answer with a resounding "isn't it obvious that the answer is no".

Mr Buttigieg insisted that the federation's main aim was to keep its members informed and it would be organising a meeting at Ta' Qali on Sunday at 9.30 a.m.

During the press conference, the federation emphasised that it was not affiliated to any political party and rebuked allegations that its decisions were swayed either way.

"No hunter or trapper can ever accuse the federation of hiding the truth on the package negotiated by the government with the EU," the federation said.

Federation secretary Lino Farrugia said the moratorium on new trapping licences was not an EU requisite and the government was breaching human rights by stipulating this.

The federation said it would be confronting the Environment Minister and the environment authority on the fact that "citizens were being denied their constitutional right to apply for a trapping licence - this is a breach of human rights".

The federation also complained that their participation in the negotiations had been suddenly terminated just before the agriculture chapter was closed.