The government has no position on the referendum being proposed by a number of organisations, Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Rights Roderick Galdes said yesterday, as he insisted that its position on spring hunting itself was in line with its electoral mandate.
“While respecting those who are calling for a referendum and those who are collecting signatures and signing the petition, the government has a very clear mandate with regard to its position on the matter,” he said during a press conference on Budget measures related to his secretariat.
Asked about the government’s views specifically on the referendum, Mr Galdes said it had none because signatures were still being collected.
On hunting, Mr Galdes said the Wild Birds Regulation Unit was working “very well” as it was “organising the sector”.
He said efforts to beef up enforcement were working, with the Administrative Law Enforcement staff increasing from 22 to 95 during the hunting season.
What we find unacceptable is hunting protected species
This, he said, was instrumental in capturing those who illegally shot eagles.
“What we find unacceptable is hunting protected species and this will not be tolerated,” he said.
In the meantime, the referendum campaign continues to gain pace, with latest figures showing the organisers are close to reaching the targeted 35,000 signatures.
The referendum campaign was organised by the Coalition to Abolish Spring Hunting, made up of Alternattiva Demokratika, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Nature Trust, the Ramblers’ Association and Birdlife.
Spring hunting is forbidden by the EU Birds’ Directive in order to give species a chance to breed.
However, Malta applies a derogation to the rule, arguing that the autumn hunting season alone is insufficient because the number of migrating birds at that time is limited.
Malta was the only EU country to apply a derogation for hunting turtle dove and quail last spring.
The referendum would be to abolish the legal notice that allows the Government to apply a derogation from EU law to grant spring hunting.