The people’s verdict on spring hunting in Saturday’s referendum would be fully respected, but breaches of the law would not be tolerated, Prime Minister Joseph Muscat said yesterday.

In comments on One Radio, Dr Muscat said if the people voted No, hunting would not be allowed in spring, and anybody breaking the regulations would be subject to disciplinary action.

However, if the Yes vote won, the legal notice allowing spring hunting would be issued immediately.

The government already announced that, on the recommendation of the Ornis Committee, the spring hunting season will open between April 14 and 30 pending the result of the referendum, with a national bag limit of 1,000 turtle doves and 5,000 quail.

Between those dates, hunting would be permitted from two hours before sunrise until 2pm, from Monday to Friday. On Saturdays, Sundays and public holidays, the hunting would have to stop at noon.

Dr Muscat warned that in the event of a Yes vote, there would be no free-for-all and those who broke the law would be called to book.

He said he would not stop short of closing the hunting season early if illegalities persisted, as with the suspension of the autumn season due to illegal hunting last year.

The decision last September provoked public protests from hunters, which the Prime Minister said were aimed directly at him.

Dr Muscat reiterated that he would be voting Yes, in line with his view that the government should continue to have the right to apply a derogation allowing spring hunting, but added that everyone should be free to vote as they wished.