The Nationalist Party is in favour of a "short, controlled and disciplined" Spring hunting season, Opposition leader Simon Busuttil said this evening.

Dr Busuttil told supporters in Sliema that it was not true that his party had no position on the matter. Its position, he said, was consistent with that of the past nine years when the previous administration fought and won battles to retain the derogation to allow hunting.

Dr Busuttil, however, said that the petition calling for a referendum on the matter should be respected and the people's vote accepted. "No Prime Minister has the right to block a referendum on Spring hunting once the petition was collected and in line with the law," he said.

Asked about the National Employment Policy, Dr Busuttil said the party was still discussing it internally but said outright that it was against the measure raising employers' national insurance contributions to fund maternity leave payment.

"Retail trade is down and business is already bad as it is, let alone if you increase NI contributions for employers, especially the self employed and small businesses," he said.