A petition calling for amendments to the Referenda Act which would make the proposed spring hunting referendum illegal, has been launched by the Hunters' Federation.

This was announced by FKNK President Joe Perici Calascione during a news conference, in the wake of the news that the coalition against spring hunting was on the brink of reaching the required 34,000 signatures stipulated by law to force a referendum on this issue.

Mr Perici Calascione said that they will be presenting their petition in a few months' time, adding that the federation expected unanimous backing from both sides of Parliament. He branded the request to hold a referendum on spring hunting as an attack on democracy saying that no minority had the right to abolish the "socio-cultural tradition" like hunting which is being practiced by another minority.

The FKNK official said that such a referendum would set a dangerous precedent as it might pave the way for other traditions and hobbies practiced by certain minorities like fireworks' enthusiasts, offroading and pigeon racing to be abolished. He said that even gay people would be at risk as they also represent a minority.

The petition calls for a proviso in the Referenda Act which would exempt the interests, rights or privileges enjoyed by a minority from being subjected to an abrogative referendum.

Mr Perici Calascione also questioned whether there it was fair to be allowed an indefinite period of time to gather the signatures, floating the idea of having fixed timeframes. He said that the federations will be presenting its petition in the coming months, adding that they will leave no stone unturned to defend their cause.

FKNK members are being urged to collect at least 10 signatures each. According to the FKNK some of the signatures were gathered in suspicious circumstances.