Updated at 9pm: Adds PD statement
The Nationalist Party shall on Monday be moving an amendment to a motion to halt the extension of hunting and trapping hours at Majjistral Park.
The motion was moved by Partit Demokratiku’s Godfrey Farrugia.
In its amendment, the PN is calling for a wide consultation with all interested parties to be embarked upon.
This, it says, should lead to a solution being found with the involvement of all parties concerned.
The party invited the government to agree with its amendment for an acceptable solution to be reached.
The amendment is being moved by David Agius, Robert Arrigo and Robert Cutajar.
PN's amendment 'insidious support' for government's imposition - PD
The PN’s amendment for consultation to be reopened on a matter decided years ago following an extensive consultation process was nothing but insidious support for what the government had imposed.
The imposition came against the unanimous decision of the advisory board for the management of the park and the Environment and Resources Authority.
It was a shame how DeliaPN, like the Muscat government, had lost direction when it came to safeguarding and balanced use of the little nature that remained for the people to enjoy.
From this first test for the environmental credentials of DeliaPN, it was clear that it was just the PD which had the guts to stand up for environmental justice.
The PD was committed to acknowledge what was good but say what was wrong with conviction and not just when convenient.
Birdlife urges MPs to put national interest first and foremost
Earlier today, Birdlife urged MPs to prove they had the courage to put their national interest first and foremost by voting in favour of the motion.
In a statement, Birdlife said that extending hunting and trapping hours at such a site went against the very concept of a national park where many went to enjoy the beauty of nature.
It said it expected all political parties to support the motion while bearing in mind that this extension was imposed against the advice of the same board which managed the park whose members were appointed by the government itself.