Hunting fairs like the one being organised this weekend encouraged legal hunting, Home Affairs Minister Carmelo Abela said today.

Speaking to the Times of Malta during the official opening of the first ever national hunting fair, Mr Abela said the point of such events was to promote legal hunting.

The three-day fair, being held at Montekristo Estates, is being organised jointly between the Hunters’ Federation, FKNK, and a group of Italian hunting fair organisers.

It includes some 41 exhibitions ranging from artisanal Italian riffles, to fully automatic weapons, stuffed birds, and hunting holiday packages.

The event is expected to attract thousands of visitors.

Sports Parliamentary Secretary Chris Agius and Opposition spokesman Charlo Bonnici also attended the event. Animal Rights Parliamentary Secretary Roderick Galdes did not attend.

Mr Abela said the authorities would not hesitate to take action against any hunting illegalities committed during the upcoming spring hunting season. An, he reminded that the government had gone as far as to close the season when illegalities had got out of hand. 

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