Nationalist MEP candidate Jonathan Shaw is declaring that, in the eventuality of a referendum to abolish spring hunting, he will vote in favour of such a proposal.

He stressed in an interview with timesofmalta.com that this is his personal view, which might not necessarily reflect his party’s position.

He is the first candidate representing a major political party to openly pronounce himself against spring hunting.

Last week, the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting submitted  44,376 signatures to the Electoral Commission in its quest to force an abrogative referendum.