Prime Minister Joseph Muscat has played down the significance of his statements on spring hunting yesterday despite having pledged not to enter the campaign fray.

Dr Muscat said it was important for people to know where he stood on the matter, adding that  journalists asking questions about the issue were speaking more about the issue than he had done throughout the whole campaign.

Asked about law enforcement if the referendum went either way, Dr Muscat said the government was committed to ensuring the laws were observed. "I am the Prime Minister who closed the hunting season when illegalities persisted," he said.

In Qala yesterday, Dr Muscat said it was unfair for all hunters to suffer the consequences of the bullies among them and he reiterated his stand in favour of retaining spring hunting.

It was the Prime Minister's first substantial contribution to the referendum campaign since it started in January when he first declared his stand.

Dr Muscat was speaking after visiting Stella Maris College in Gzira where the government signed a memorandum of understanding with Microsoft to develop educational technology for schools.