Abolishing spring hunting would be an unfair and extremist measure as hunters in Malta have the right to be treated as equals with Italians, the Spanish and the French, the Iva Movement said yesterday.
Sylvana Zarb Darmanin made this appeal during a family event organised by the hunting lobby group next to the Aħrax chapel, in Mellieħa.
She said that her support for the ‘Yes’ camp was a conscious decision, pointing out that her brother was a Birdlife member whereas her husband was a hunter.
Malta’s bag limit of 16,000 turtle doves and quail would not impact on the overall population of these two species, as it was negligible when compared to the combined 7.5 million quota of nine other EU countries, she argued.
“People want tolerance and a good balance which would allow them to enjoy the countryside, while retaining spring hunting under the present strict conditions,” she remarked.
The event was also addressed by Nyal Xuereb who denied claims made by the ‘No’ camp that an increase in the population of birds was due to a spring hunting ban some 20 years ago. He claimed that the only times when such a restriction was imposed was in 2008 and 2009. Mr Xuereb argued that throughout the years authorities had already restricted spring hunting, by reducing the season from 60 days to 20 half-days and reducing the number of species from 32 to just two.
In addition, other checks and balances had been introduced including the carnet de chasse, SMS reporting and more police surveillance.
The Iva spokesman accused the anti-hunting lobby of resorting to scaremongering tactics, lies and half-truths. He added that claims that a victory for the ‘Yes’ camp would be a defeat for democracy was just one example.
Mr Xuereb also pointed out that the entire debate on this issue had nothing to do with access to the countryside as all public land was already accessible to the people.
“It seems that the intent of the No camp is just to eliminate hunters from the countryside, even though the European Commission has already ruled in favour of a limited spring hunting season,” he said.