The hunting lobby this afternoon urged voters to vote ‘yes’ in the forthcoming referendum to allow spring hunting, arguing that Maltese hunters should enjoy the same rights as other EU citizens.

Addressing an event at Mellieha, Sylvana Zarb Darmanin, a spokeswoman for the ‘yes’ camp, accused the anti-hunting lobby of taking an extremist approach. She said that Malta’s 16,000 threshold of turtle doves and quail was nothing when compared to the combined quota of nine other EU countries which were allowed to hunt 7.5 million birds of these two species.

Ms Zarb Darmanin said claims that the abolition of spring hunting would give the countryside back to the people was a myth, as there were 32 public areas which could be enjoyed by the public.

The event was also addressed by Nyal Xuereb who denied claims made by Mark Sultana, a spokesman for the No camp, that spring hunting had been banned some 20 years ago, leading to an increase in the population of birds. Mr Xuereb said that the only years when there was a ban were 2008 and 2009.

He noted how hunters were only allowed to practice their hobby on 20 half days when originally the season was spread on 60 days. Moreover, the authorities also imposed bag limits, and only allowed hunting on two particular species.

A total abolition would be an extremist measure, "and so we urge the people to vote for balance and tolerance", he said.