European Parliament election candidates are being quizzed on their green credentials in a questionnaire drafted by conservationists.

NGO Birdlife on Tuesday said it had drafted a set of questions concerning five priority issues which it wants political parties and their MEP candidates to consider, promote and endorse.

The manifesto has was sent to all of Malta’s European Parliament candidates this morning and the NGO is requesting their responses to each of the 10 questions in the document.  

From climate change to ODZ development, from the transport challenges to clean air, hunting and trapping derogations and the need of better enforcement, from biodiversity loss to unsustainable fisheries and bycatch, the document touches upon a number of the NGO’s concerns.

“We feel it is our responsibility to put the natural environment on the agenda and their obligation to relate, think and reply on their position,” the NGO said.

Birdlife will be organising a morning debate featuring MEP candidates on Friday May 3 at the Salina Nature Reserve’s Visitor Centre between 8am and 10am.

A number of candidates from each party have accepted the organisation’s invitation to attend and respond to questions related to the environment.

The Labour Party will be represented by MEP candidates Robert Micallef and Alfred Sant, the Nationalist Party will be represented by Peter Agius and Frank Psaila, Alternattiva Demokratika will be represented by Carmel Cacopardo and Partit Demokratiku will be represented by Anthony Buttigieg.

The event is open to all and participation is free, however one needs to register here.