Hunters were angered by Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi’s agreement with the idea of holding a referendum to abolish spring hunting if the need arose.

This declaration depicts a blatant two-faced attitude, the effect of which will undoubtedly be reflected in the election outcome

Dr Gonzi was asked the referendum question in the leaders’ debate organised by The Times on Tuesday. Labour leader Joseph Muscat ruled out any such referendum.

Mark Mifsud Bonnici, president of St Hubert Hunters, said Dr Gonzi’s statement rendered the oft repeated spiel that the PN stuck its neck out for hunters “totally capricious, void and senseless”.

In a letter to Nationalist Party deputy leader Simon Busuttil yesterday, which was also circulated to the media, Mr Mifsud Bonnici requested a clarification on the matter from the PN.

He asked whether Dr Gonzi’s position was the PN’s official policy and whether as a result the party was retracting the pledge it had made to hunters under Eddie Fenech Adami’s leadership.

In the run-up to EU membership in 2004 hunters were promised that spring hunting would continue to be practised because Malta would use the derogation in the Birds’ Directive.

However, the European Commission came down hard on the practice and Malta was dragged to the European Court of Justice for breaching the directive. After a protracted court case, hunters claimed victory when the court allowed a very restricted window for hunting of two bird species in spring.

The Government has opened a spring hunting season for the past three years with strict limitations on the number of birds that can be shot.

Using very strong language, Mr Mifsud Bonnici complained that throughout Dr Gonzi’s tenure hunters had endured “inexplicable manipulation” and the abolition of what were PN written assurances.

“This last, uncalled for declaration directed at presumed political advantage depicts a blatant two-faced attitude the effect of which will undoubtedly be reflected in the outcome of the forthcoming general election,” he said.