St Hubert’s Hunters has expressed unreserved support for the petition to amend the Referenda Act so the public will never be allowed to vote on issues that affect the interests of “minority groups”.

The petition was launched by the hunters’ federation (FKNK) earlier this month in a bid to render a proposed referendum on spring hunting illegal.

The Coalition to Abolish Spring Hunting is having a final push for the 35,000 signatures needed to force an abrogative referendum on hunting in the period when birds breed.

Spring hunting is banned by the EU Birds’ Directive but Malta applies a derogation on the basis that the number of migrating birds visiting the island in autumn is insufficient.

“While urging other minority groups to collaborate with those already participating in this initiative, it thanks all members of the public who have shown their support,” St Hubert’s Hunters said.