A large group of local artists from the theatre community have declared their intention to vote No in the April 11 referendum which will decide the fate of spring hunting.

They said their decision was motivated by the fact that:

• Birds need the spring time to reach their breeding grounds;

• Birds are beautiful flying free, they deserve to be alive and be allowed to reproduce;

• Malta is in a unique position in the Mediterranean and that the abolition of spring hunting will increase the tourism of bird watchers in our country;

• Hunters have five months in autumn to practice their hobby, they don't need another 21 days in April;

• It is easier to target protected species in spring if hunting is allowed, voting no would make the monitoring of illegalities easier, and Malta safer for all birds;

• Hunters have been bullying the nation for too long a time, non-hunting citizens  deserve the right to enjoy their countryside freely without danger, abuse or threats.

The artists said they rejected the scaremongering that this referendum would affect the hobbies of others.

“We know this is a lie and will vote accordingly.”

The artists are Adrian Buckle, Francesca Tranter , Cecilia Xuereb , Stefan Scerri, Ruth Borg, Tyrone Grima, Jo Caruana, Lizzie Eldridge, Larissa Bonaci, Ruth Sammut Casingena, Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Valerie Blow, Sandra Mifsud, Paul Xuereb, Steffi Thake, Paul Portelli, Thomas Camilleri, Alan Montanaro, Pia Zammit, Josette Cassar, Ray Calleja and David Chircop.

Christopher Gatt, Edward Caruana Galizia, JeanMarc Agius Cafa’ , Alan Paris, Faye Paris, Maria Buckle, Laura Best, Maria PiaMeli, Christine Tong, Victor Debono, Paula Fleri Soler 

Ann De Marco, Coryse Borg, Polly March, Clive Piscopo, Bettina Paris, James Sultana, Manuel Cauchi, DavidMicallef, Joseph Zammit, StefanieWeenink, Toni Attard, Deedee Clark, Shirley Blake 

Renato Dimech, Vikesh Godhwani, Nicole Cuschieri, Isabel Warrington, Kate De Cesare, Sue Scantlebury, Franco Rizzo, Martin Azzopardi, Victoria Ann Cremona.