The Yes (for spring hunting) campaign was a mask behind which the real hunters were hiding, Mark Sultana, spokesman for the Spring Hunting Out (Shout) campaign said this morning.

Addressing a news conference during a jamming event in Bugibba held by the non-governmental organisation Why Not, to raise awareness about the No campaign, Mr Sultana said the people had not forgotten the hunting lobby’s bullying tactics, their protests during which they beat up journalists, their attacks on birdwatchers and the arson attacks on people’s cars.

“This is the reality of spring hunting in Malta. It is a face that they are now afraid to show to the people because they know it will not win them any votes in the referendum.”

Mr Sultana called on the Yes campaign to start debating the real issues of the spring hunting referendum and the facts.

Referring to hunters’ federation president Joe Perici Calascione’s clam that this was war, Mr Sultana said an abrogative referendum was not war, but a democratic tool to which Maltese citizens had a right.

“Joe Perici Calascione wants to start a ‘war’ because the ‘Iva’ campaign does not have any strong and truthful arguments to defend spring hunting,” Mr Sultana said.

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