I refer to the letter Land Use In Spring Hunting, in which appreciation and respect was shown by the Ramblers’ Association for my intervention following the FKNK’s reaction to the association’s declaration that they will support calls for a referendum to decide the spring hunting question. Allow me to put the record straight.

Having prided myself on having developed the best of relations with both the eNGOs as well as the hunters’ federation, I have always striven for a balanced approach in my relations with them irrespective of the issue/s at stake.

The only way to gain credibility in such a process is by refraining from engaging in any disagreements that might arise between one organisation and another.

If The Ramblers’ Association, with whom I have always had a healthy relationship since my days as shadow spokesman for the environment, were referring to comments I made during my recent visit to the BirdLife Mellieħa sanctuary, all I said when asked by a member of the media – in the presence of FKNK representatives and the Ornis chairman – about their ongoing dispute with the FKNK was that I augured that common sense would prevail.

This is the same stance I adopted when I managed to bring together FKNK and BirdLife officials in my office to work on common ground – illegal hunting.

I believe that this can and is being done without jeopardizing my strong and full commitment to my government’s electoral programme in any area.