No other minority should have to endure the great suffering inflicted on hunters “by those who wanted to destroy part of our lives through the abolition of spring hunting”, Joe Perici Calascione said yesterday.
The hunters’ federation (FKNK) president was giving his initial reaction to the narrow victory secured by the Yes camp in Saturday’s vote.
The Spring Hunting Out campaign, which had triggered this abrogative referendum, conceded defeat at about 9.50am but the FKNK took its time to be a hundred per cent certain and only declared victory about 30 minutes later.
During those tense minutes, FKNK officials present at the Naxxar counting hall faced a barrage of questions from journalists, all along insisting that it was premature to make any pronouncement. Their proclamation of victory finally came at about 10.30am, soon after the Prime Minister announced the unofficial result on the Labour radio station.
Mr Perici Calascione expressed hope that the referendum would serve to show the real meaning of tolerance, respect and sustainability. It was unfair that a section of society had tried to destroy a tradition enjoyed by a minority, he added.
FKNK general secretary Lino Farrugia said their success was all the more meaningful because they faced an uphill struggle after the independent media had declared their support for the anti-hunting lobby.
When it was pointed out to him that both political leaders had expressed their personal support for their cause, he said the positions were in line with the pledges that both parties had made in their respective manifestos to open a limited spring hunting season.
A relieved Mr Farrugia said that from today it would be “business as usual” for hunters while inviting them to celebrate the victory in an orderly manner in the following days.
However, by early afternoon, hunters who throughout the campaign had kept a very low profile gathered at Narbona Square in Qormi. Wearing camouflage trousers, jackets and caps, many carcaded towards this spontaneous celebration armed with Maltese flags, posters and placards.
The event was addressed by Kathleen Grima, the face of the slick Yes campaign who was conspicuously absent from the counting hall. While thanking all those who supported the hunting lobby she urged them to act responsibly so as not to play into the hands of those who had portrayed them in bad light.
In a statement, the hunters’ federation thanked all voters for their support in what it described as a historic referendum whose only intention was to eliminate the socio-cultural tradition of spring hunting in Malta.
The FKNK said further details on the official celebrations would be announced today.