Birdlife has urged the public to sign and mail the petition to force a referendum on spring hunting by the end of this month, as belief grows that the target of 35,000 signatures will be reached soon.

“At the end of this month we will be doing a full count as we are getting close to reaching the target. We think it could be possible by the end of November, although we can’t say that for sure,” said Rupert Masefield, communications officer of the conservation NGO.

159

– charged with hunting offences this year

Mr Masefield collected around 400 signatures next to the open-air theatre in Valletta yesterday.

The total currently stands at around 24,000, but campaigners say that interest in the campaign is growing, fuelled in part by the widespread killing of protected eagles last month.

Spring hunting is forbidden by the EU Birds’ Directive in order to give birds a chance to breed.

However, Malta applies derogation to the rule, arguing that the autumn hunting season alone is insufficient because the number of migrating birds at that time is limited.

Malta was the only EU country to apply a derogation for the hunting of turtle dove and quail last spring.

The referendum campaign was organised by the Coalition to Abolish Spring Hunting, made up of Alternattiva Demokratika, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Nature Trust, the Ramblers’ Association and Birdlife.

The referendum is to abolish the legal notice that makes it possible for the Government to apply a derogation from EU law to allow spring hunting.

If at least 10 per cent of those who appear on the electoral register (roughly 35,000 people) sign the petition and their signatures are verified by the constitutional court, an abrogative referendum on the issue must be held. If the majority vote to abolish spring hunting, the law would be struck off.

Last week, Nationalist leader Simon Busuttil said his party did not support a referendum. Instead, the PN favours a “short and controlled spring hunting period”.

Asked about this yesterday, Mr Masefield said: “I don’t see how he can say he is against the Maltese people having a say in an issue that affects them. Is he against citizens participating in the democratic process?”

He added that it was untrue that the referendum was focused on a minority issue.

“The hunters say they have a right to spring hunting. What about the rights of everyone else to enjoy the countryside in spring?

“Hunting is not a hobby like collecting stamps. It has a serious impact on everyone because of the way it is practised.”

A steady stream of people could be seen signing the petition in Valletta yesterday without being prompted.

Mr Masefield was pleased with the response, although he said Birdlife volunteers did suffer verbal abuse last week from construction workers at the new Parliament building.

The police have informed The Sunday Times of Malta that 159 people have been charged with hunting offences so far this year, although the nature of the offences was not specified.

In 2012, 134 people were charged with hunting offences, down from 164 in 2011.

The petition to outlaw spring hunting can be downloaded from Birdlife’s website. Alternatively, e-mail cashmalta2013@gmail.com to request a copy.