Hunters' federation claims 17,816-vote membership

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 18th 2008, 17:44

I believe your friend killed himself when going randomly cutting trees and shooting to protected bird species. Also PN has not killed your friend either! PN is actually trying to find a way how your friend can come back (in a way that it limits the damage it can do), MLP - they do not really care, after all why fight for votes which potentially are already theirs!

Shaun Debono

Feb 15th 2008, 10:55

If you have to choose between two people: 1 killed your friend (PN) and the other told you that now there is nothing that can be done to bring it back (MLP), who would you choose to remain your friend?

Clive Demicoli

Feb 14th 2008, 16:49

Saying that the PN has misled a section of society is a misconception in itself. The truth is that situation changed. In 2005, when Malta had already joined, a European Court judgement made it clear that the derogation that Malta wanted to use to safeguard hunting could not be used anymore. This is a fact. Nobody tricked anyone. no one could expect the people negotiating in 2003 to know what was going to happen in 2005.

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 14th 2008, 16:34

“Once bitten twice shy I say!” – I think that applies more to Dr.Sant 2 years tenure as PM back in 1996! Also MLP and PN both agree they will respect the EU court decision – so in my opinion, at this moment “it is useless to cry over spilt milk” and see what is best for our country, our future, our children, rather than just our hobby!!

N.Tabone

Feb 14th 2008, 09:35

I am no hunter and obviously i don't want to get into the merit of whether hunting should be stopped in Malta or not, I personally don't agree with hunting and trapping however the issue here is who fooled who? Why on earth Dr. Fenech Adami had sent a letter to all the hunters and trappers giving them a guarantee that spring hunting will go on once we're in the EU? Wasn't this a vote catching tactic? I really do not blame hunters and trappers for not voting PN this time round! They have been fooled by the PN's administraton. Once bitten twice shy I say!

Mario Gauci

Feb 13th 2008, 07:51

Now we have it from the horse's mouth... as quoted from The Times.

Irrespective of who you vote, "Gonzi, Sant both say will respect court decision on hunting.

Lawrence Gonzi and Alfred Sant, speaking at about the same time in different locations said today they will respect the decision of the European Court of Justice on Spring hunting. "

Joseph Aquilina

Feb 11th 2008, 20:15

Karl, there is no change in putting MLP in government. They are the same people of 1996 and some of them even 1982!! Also are you ready to put aside all the progress done by Malta during these last few years, all the benefits we obtained from the EU and the credibility we obtained internationally because hunters cannot hunt in spring!?? ... You really believe that makes sense? Hunting is a minor issue when comparied to other issues such as deficit, education, taxes, and several hundreds of other issues. In the end the choice between Dr.Gonzi and Dr.Sant is yours! But remember that the next government will not only take decisions regarding hunting, but also the matters mentioned above!

Jean Paul Gatt

Feb 11th 2008, 12:16

As highly improbable as it is .. I really hope than the both parties agree not to pay attention to this segment of the Maltese population. These people should have been ignored a long time ago.

Karl Mallia

Feb 8th 2008, 18:28

What irks me is the fact that government unashamedly misled a sizeable part of the populace in 2003. For me, that was reason enough to suspend parliament when the issue cropped up. I see it as a serious 'breach of contract'. Now I will not be fooled into voting the same people in office.
Secondly, I simply cannot know, now, what else is in store. What other negotiations have been made, by the people who represented me, in my name? Which issues, exactly, did the people vote on? And worse than this - when MLP is elected (let's face it, the country needs a change, even though it's probably just for the sake of it), what will it be facing? I presume a lot of issues that will surface during the next legislature.

Gordon Camenzuli

Feb 8th 2008, 14:06

Are there only 17,816 voters on the islands? Wow! we will know the outcome of the election in an hour or two.

Salvatore Borg

Feb 8th 2008, 12:49

It's even more unthinkable to vote for a party which is not clear on the issue at hand just to spite the party in power (or as they see, to bring it down).

Fiona Cilia

Feb 8th 2008, 12:20

It's about time that Maltese citizens including hunters and trappers start thinking seriously about their future and about their children's future. Is hunting the only sensible thing people can think about when lots of more important assets are being gained from Malta's membership in the EU. There's more than hobbies in life and issues like quality lifestyle, education and health standards are much more vital than a life threatening hobby. It's unthinkable to vote for the party to rule the country for the coming five years on the basis of hunting!

Christian Peregin

Feb 8th 2008, 09:07

I love how the hunting federation assumes that all its members are sheep-like voters who are one track minded and can only think about one issue. If I were part of an organisation that thought such things about me, I'd be concerned.

Christian Sant

Feb 8th 2008, 08:10

Bravo Joseph!

You seem to forget that we live in a modern democracy not in a third world country where the strongest tribe rules the country.

People are done being bullied. My biggest regret is not for the general public but for those hunters and trappers who understand and obey the law yet have their reputation ruined by the others who think they are above the law.

No single person or party has damaged your hobby more than hunters themselves - every consecutive season that protected species are killed, every time some hothead shoots from the middle of a road, every demonstration with weapons and trees attached to cars, every vandal attack, every 250HP speedboat chasing a protected bird... shall I continue?

Salvatore Borg

Feb 8th 2008, 07:43

Dear Joseph Attard. Yours is the kind of attitude that makes people in this island steel themselves against hunting across the board, not just the illegal kind. How are the people who are not hunters supposed to be sympathetic to your cause when this is the kind of logic you hear?

Wilfred Camilleri

Feb 8th 2008, 04:16

The issue is not whether or not someone promised hunters something before Malta joined the EU as many seem to suggest. The issue is hunting. If hunting is against EU laws than the government should enforce the law. If people were able to choose which laws to obey or disobey, the result would be total anarchy.

joseph attard

Feb 7th 2008, 22:59

The PN betrayed hunters... We will vote MLP even if they won't give us back hunting but we will force the PN down from government for betraying us.

Zapp Branagan

Feb 7th 2008, 18:43

Forgive me if i've got this wrong, but wasn't hunting banned last year immediately after all those trees were destroyed? I thought that this was a message to the hunters, cos I don't know any other group of people that would be dumb enough to carry out such an organised act of sabotage.
Personally, I don't see why ANYONE on this island needs a gun, and the rapid increase in gun related violence is another issue that's intimately linked to the hunters 'rights'. What about everyone else's rights?

louis borg

Feb 7th 2008, 15:34

Being against hunting, Maltese style, I do not care who the hunters vote for because their battle was lost when we joined the EU and that was one of the main reasons I voted for Europe. In time, hunting will be abolished.

Mark Grixti

Feb 7th 2008, 14:21

Who is going to believe in this day and age that Hunters decide on who's going to be elected or not?

If anything ANY party who chooses to show sympathy towards the unjust take over by hunters and trappers of the very little left country side would be less popular by much more the the 17,816 votes claimed by the hunting lobby.

Green issues have become strong issues, now that joining the EU is not an issue anymore. Politicians should be taking logical notes

Andrew Gatt

Feb 7th 2008, 11:36

The following text was taken from a website promoting hunting for quail ALL YEAR ROUND IN SPAIN. But no, it;s only tiny Malta that's in the EU's/Birdlife's and every oth.............

"Quail hunting is available in the mountains over savannah and scrub land, 365 days a year. The quail is a small relative of the partridge, with its leopard print camouflage its very easy to confuse with the land, it fly’s in to Spain from Africa in the month of April" http://www.shooting.sh/shoot_quail_span.shtml

Elisa Borg

Feb 7th 2008, 10:40

It is the two party system that allows this bullying.

It's the same with the marriage laws and the rent laws.

If one party decides to be courageous, some other type of FKNK will come out claiming a 50,000 strong membership.

That's why hard core change will never be more than a dream in Malta until we elect a third party.

Noel Grixti D'Amato

Feb 7th 2008, 09:08

What is the most important thing? The interest of 17,000 hunters or the rest of the population?!?! Last spring they had the season open and yet we were in our 4th year of EU membership. Things change and the government have done al ot for them. It has also been taken to court because of them!!

Claire Bonello

Feb 6th 2008, 22:27

The hunting issue is just another example of the government dragging its feet when it comes to the observance of EU laws which it voted for. The MLP
's position has been equally shaky on this point. Alternattiva Demokrattika has been consistent and clear in its stance. This issue has nothing to do with other capital projects that the PN government has promised. Can't it do those and adhere to EU rules at the same time? If not why?

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 6th 2008, 19:49

Good point, Anthony Formosa. For once I have to agree with you. All those who claim to respect the environment should vote AD. And this includes hunters and trappers who claim to respect the environment. After all, voting for AD, PN or MLP will make no difference anyway. It's the EU that makes the rules, regardless of what any party in Malta promises.

Victor Fiorini

Feb 6th 2008, 19:32

The hunters think that by showing off how many members they have, they can decide who will be the next government. Hunters' political intimidation should not have a role in deciding who will be governing Malta for the next 5 years. Apart from Alternattiva, no other party has the guts to challenge them. MLP and PN flirt as much as I can with them, and they have bought this on themsleves. Were it not for their thirst of power, PN and MLP could have agreed on a common stand on hunting, and eliminate once and for all hunting from the political agenda. Thank God for the EU that will treat hunters the way deserve to be treated

Simon cauchi

Feb 6th 2008, 19:04

We should ride on the wave of the current momentum to control illegal hunting once and for all. 4% of the population cannot hold the rest of the country to ransom.

The economy, the strategy and the direction for the country are far more important issues than hunting, which at the end of the day tarnishes the image of our country.

We should not vote for those parties which are ambigous with the hunting issue and try to appease hunters, by sitting on a fence, hoping to get their votes.

I prefer to vote for the party which gives our country the economic stability and the steady direction it deserves, which benefits us all.

Malta should be part of the civilized world, and not a 3rd world country which is run by a bunch of mobsters with guns.

Lets not go back to 1996 when the hunters controlled the agenda of the country.

Edward Mifsud

Feb 6th 2008, 18:17

Being a Biologist I am obviously against hunting and in favour of all forms of life. However, one understands the hunters' anger for being promised things that cannot be realised.

albert gauci cunningham

Feb 6th 2008, 16:07

Smart City?....RUBBISH
Mcast........RUBBISH
New roads.........RUBBISH
3 new schools for our future...RUBBISH
new old people's homes...........RUBBISH
Mater Dei.......RUBBISH
34U.........RUBBISH
Closing Maghtab ......RUBBISH
All the above is pure rubbish!! The 'gamiema' comes before our national heritage and pride! Before our future and children! Before investment and jobs!
When will some people wake up? WYou owe us the younger generation a future. But the 'gamiema' always comes first!

Max Fattuhi

Feb 6th 2008, 15:19

As an undecided voter I will certainly NOT vote for any party that backs hunting. Although I think hunting (at least in Spring) should be stopped, I still believe the PN fooled the hunters with foolish promises AND insulted all those of us who voted for the EU when they said we voted in favour of hunting. That was insulting!

As for the MLP, well, they're playing their cards well it seems, not committing themselves is probably their best vote winner.

JOE ATTARD

Feb 6th 2008, 15:14

We keep skirting the real issue about hunting. It is not about killing birds but about getting out of home , enjoying the company of friends talking about a common subject, going late for work with a good excuse. Take these away from a large proportion of hunters and what aer you left with.! Are these guys going to potter about the house or help kids with their homework?? FInd an outlet for their frustration and you would have solved the hunting problem.

Christian Peregin

Feb 6th 2008, 13:44

Yes Martin, maybe anything which disturbs the public, harms the environment, risks putting other people in danger, and is a general nuisance should be regulated.

Martin Polidano

Feb 6th 2008, 12:54

Well .. if for a second we assume that hunting is dead, what's next? .. fishing, sunday cars/motorcycles, rave parties, feasts & fireworks! Each activity we practice defines our culture .. earning money just to go abroad is no culture at all. May legal hunting continue in a fair manner.

jas calleja

Feb 6th 2008, 12:46

Is the MLP going to allow hunters to hunt on Spring?
I think they cannot!! And they cannot break EU rules. So, why will you vote MLP if it will do the same as the PN? Hunting is not an issue at this election ,the two parties are the same on the hunting issue.

Anthony Formosa

Feb 6th 2008, 12:20

And yet the Green Party got +/-4,000 votes at the last general election, and the story will repeat itself, so where are all those who think they respect the environment? besides the real greens, hunters & trappers.

Christian Abdilla

Feb 6th 2008, 12:16

These 17,000+ votes do not include the hunters' families. Does the Hunter's Federation brag about the fact that hunters can literally dictate to their wives and children whom to vote for ?

Andrew Gatt

Feb 6th 2008, 12:10

Fact is, the government sent all hunters and trappers a signed letter guaranteeing Spring hunting and trapping prior to the EU referendum. Can you blame the federation?

Salvatore Borg

Feb 6th 2008, 12:02

Of all the important issues that the country has gone through in the past years irrespective of which party you see eye to eye with, I am appalled to keep seeing people basing their voting decision (and implying that they'll include their families' as well) solely on their hobby.

Who cares about the EU, euro, our new hospital, the good and the bad of both parties, economy - the turtle dove rules!

Andrew Gatt

Feb 6th 2008, 12:01

Whether you support legal hunting or not, the fact is that each and every hunter and trapper received a commitment in writing signed by the then Prime Minister prior to the EU referendum, guaranteeing spring hunting and trapping.
This was part of the package presented to the Maltese people.
Whoever voted yes for the EU, also voted yes for spring hunting.
Of course the Federation is up in arms! Seems like they've been blatantly lied to.........

bryan sullivan

Feb 6th 2008, 11:58

what amazes me is the fact that there are still 'people' out their with their guns who would have kept us out of the eu for their own selfish reasons.

zeppi sant

Feb 6th 2008, 11:48

I know hunters especially in Gozo who will let anyone sleep with their wife but they won't let anyone steal their chance of catching a turtle dove (gamiema)

Rita Axisa

Feb 6th 2008, 11:47

I am against hunting, however the issue is who tricked who. PN promised something which it knew it could not deliver. Where does sincerity stand???

Tony Caruna

Feb 6th 2008, 11:39

To all non-hunters. Do you not see that the government promised the hunters that they will keep on shooting in spring? Do you not see that the PN took the hunters for a ride ? If the PN can make fools of the hunters it could be you next. This is the first time in 30 years I will not be voting PN.

Simon Alden

Feb 6th 2008, 11:32

The only way to stop the hunters from holding the government to ransom over this issue at every election is for BOTH parties to agree to a common policy on the subject, thereby removing the subject from the political agenda.

Joe Sant

Feb 6th 2008, 11:16

We will not vote PN, because pre-EU membership we were told that we can go hunting in Spring. Now we cannot.

Ralph Cassar

Feb 6th 2008, 11:13

Yes, hunters are so backward and gullible that they go around desparately signing 'pacts' with MLP and PN... the parties of the status quo. Who are they trying to fool this time round!?

Mark SPiteri

Feb 6th 2008, 11:06

Ok we have 17,816 or more hunters,and s ? Is this a way of getting a "promise" from one of the political parties ? What percentage is that of the total citizens who can vote? I just hope that both the PN and MLP ignore this statement and carry on concentrating on bigger issues e.g TAX / TOURISM and W & E surcharge !!!1

David Buttigieg

Feb 6th 2008, 11:03

So the hunters are implying that they are so obsessed with their actions that they don't give two hoots about the country - sorry Lino, I don't believe it and yes, Spring Hunting is no more.

david camilleri

Feb 6th 2008, 10:53

Arnold Cassola of the Greens got almost 23,000 votes for the MEP elections. It goes to show that the hunters’ federation ranting is in vain. Not even its members are listening to them. I know some hunters in Gozo who wish that hunting is abolished completely so that they can start enjoying all birds free and wild, not stuffed or caged. These hunters are tomorrow's bird watchers if bird-killing is abolished.

Elena Grech

Feb 6th 2008, 10:45

Any political party which is concerned by this "threat" should keep in mind the vast majority of Maltese voters who are against hunting or any similar poor excuse for a sport or hobby. They can also use their vote to voice their opinion on a party's stand on this issue.

Sylvana Zarb Darmanin

Feb 6th 2008, 10:31

I am not a hunter, yet the FKNK can count my vote and those of my large family with their number. We fully support them!

Christopher Mallia

Feb 6th 2008, 10:17

Makes me wonder with such a brag of 17816 votes, why FKNK has not yet fielded its own candidate for the general election.

Duncan Sant

Feb 6th 2008, 10:06

I hope all political parties stand by the EU regulations on hunting, and they don't let hunters have their way in a desperate attempt to win votes!

Joseph Zammit

Feb 6th 2008, 09:53

And the rest of the country want to see hunting wiped out for ever, and by my reckoning, that should count for at least 250,000.

Michael Cremona

Feb 6th 2008, 09:45

Interesting that there appear to be 4,000 unlicensed and therefore illegal trappers. If that is the case, the federation should be reporting these trappers to the police.

Anthony Briffa

Feb 6th 2008, 09:39

Is this the sort of message by the hunters' federation which I think it is? It is puerile to mix the interest of a hobby with the interest of Malta's future including that of the hunters' families including their children. What a minority compared to the real environmental lovers' vote.

Richard Sammut

Feb 6th 2008, 09:09

It is ridiculous that the hunters use their numbers for scare tactics!! As if for hunters, their only concern is hunting! A hunter is also a normal person with a normal job, family etc. I think it is time that hunters realise that Spring hunting will stop and no political party can change that! The hunters should look at the other issues such as tax issues, investment policies, job opportunities etc, instead of just hunting!

joe azzopardi

Feb 6th 2008, 08:12

All hunters and trappers should by now have realised who cheated them during the course of the EU accession negotiations. They should by now realise that sincerity lay on the Labour side, even if one is not biased politically. So it is useless to waste ones vote on the small parties. Labour is the obvious choise.

Kenneth Cassar

Feb 6th 2008, 07:26

And yet, Lino Farrugia got only 3,119 votes in the MEP elections.