Birdlife criticises Attard Montalto's 'election stunt'

Birdlife Malta yesterday slammed Labour MEP John Attard Montalto's decision to sign a hunters' federation petition, calling it a cheap election stunt aimed at appeasing the hunting lobby.

The petition, entitled 'Equal, Human and Citizen Rights in the EU', makes no reference to issues regarding hunting but states that the signatories subscribe "to the fundamental principle that all Maltese nationals have the right to expect... the same human and citizen rights as those enjoyed by other EU citizens in other EU member states...", Birdlife said in a statement.

Since there is no reference to spring hunting or trapping in the petition, Birdlife has asked Dr Attard Montalto to explain what he is appealing to the EU for.

"Dr Attard Montalto should know that Maltese nationals are being treated the same as other EU citizens.

"If his reference by signing the FKNK petition is to spring hunting, then he should be made aware that EU law forbids spring hunting and trapping.

"Furthermore, hunting is not a human right whereas the equal application of the law is," Birdlife president Joseph Mangion said.