Hunters' secretary contesting MEP elections

Lino Farrugia, who is being supported by the council of the Federation for Hunting and Conservation - Malta (FKNK), yesterday formally presented himself as a neutral and independent candidate for the European parliament elections.

Mr Farrugia, general secretary of the FKNK and a hunter, said he would be focusing on the interests of the Maltese in the fields of tourism, the conservation of the natural environment and the safeguarding of traditional and legal hunting and trapping activities.

When asked, he denied that his agenda focused on conflicting themes, saying that hunting and trapping only had an effect on tourism due to Malta's limited size and that the environment and tourism supplemented each other.

Mr Farrugia said hunters and trappers were the prime promoters of the natural environment and that he would still be representing the interests of the Maltese by safeguarding hunting and trapping, despite the opposition in the country, which he said was a "matter of opinion". The 48-year-old spoke about his 30-year experience in the field of tourism and involvement in the conservation of the environment.

His involvement in the industry has been mostly in managerial positions in hotels and he is, today, a hotel owner. Mr Farrugia said he has also been serving on Malta Tourism Authority boards since it was set up in 1999.

There are over seven million hunters in the EU and Mr Farrugia felt it was important to be present at the European parliament in their defence.