Prime Minister Joseph Muscat yesterday entered the fray of the referendum debate for the first time since the campaign started with a public pitch in favour of the pro-hunting lobby.
Law-abiding hunters, he said, should not be held responsible for the actions of “a few criminals and bullies” and the government would be tough on lawbreakers, he said.
Addressing Labour Party supporters in hunters’ haunt Qala, Dr Muscat said he was convinced of his stand in favour of retaining spring hunting because the government would clamp down on illegalities.
Back in January – when the referendum was given the go ahead by the Constitutional Court – Dr Muscat said he was in favour of retaining spring hunting but would not be campaigning on the issue. Instead, he said he would leave the decision “in the people’s hands” and further comments on the matter have been few and far between.
But a fired up Dr Muscat yesterday described the referendum as “an issue of tolerance and respect” and said he wanted all Maltese to be treated fairly.
I can understand the frustrations, but that is not what I base my decisions on
His comments came on the back of a MaltaToday survey published yesterday that put the anti-spring hunting camp seven points ahead. The lead remained unchanged since the last survey in February despite the launch of the pro-spring hunting campaign that opted not to boycott the referendum. Despite the advantage, the anti-spring hunting lead still falls within the four per cent margin of error (on either side) that could mean hunters could clinch the April 11 vote.
Dr Muscat said yesterday he understood “certain people’s frustrations” at those hunters who showed a blatant disregard for the law but insisted a few bad apples “should not spoil it for the lot”.
“I can understand the frustrations, believe me. After all, when hunters took to the streets and protested [last October] they gave me stick and they really let it rip. But that is not what I base my decisions on,” he said.
Maltese citizens ‘should be level with rest of EU’
The pro-spring hunting campaign, Iva bħala Maltin u Ewropej (Yes, as Maltese and as Europeans), has argued that Maltese hunters have the right to apply for the derogation permitting spring hunting, something they feel should not be overruled by a referendum.
Echoing this, Dr Muscat argued that the Maltese should be held on a level pegging with all other EU citizens.
I believe everyone should be treated equally. Maybe more equally, yes, but never less
“I believe everyone should be treated equally. We, as Maltese, cannot be treated less equally than anyone else in the EU. Maybe more equally, yes, but never less,” he said.
Dr Muscat also referred to Opposition leader Simon Busuttil’s position on the matter.
Dr Busuttil had come out in favour of spring hunting shortly after Dr Muscat had announced his stand, saying he wanted to remain consistent with what he used to say when he had formed part of the EU accession negotiation team that lobbied for the derogation permitting spring hunting. Dr Muscat said Dr Busuttil claimed to be in favour of spring hunting but was really against.
He, on the other hand, had no problem declaring his position.
Meanwhile, musicians Gianni Zammit, Nick Morales and radio presenter Frank Zammit yesterday unveiled a song and music video produced for the anti-spring hunting campaign.
The pro-hunting lobby held a family picnic.