Updated | Hunters’ lawyer confirms YES campaign • SHout calls for debate

Hunting federation announces YES campaign during Xarabank • NO camp says electorate needs to make an informed decision, calls for debates over spring hunting

Lawyer Kathleen Grima confirmed on television that the hunters would be taking part in the spring hunting referendum, calling for a YES vote.

The confirmation, which comrd after weeks of discussions among the hunters on whether they should boycott the referendum or not, was announced on Xarabank by the FKNK’s legal representative.

Grima said the hunters will be holding a press conference to launch their campaign.

In a reaction, Spring Hunting Out (SHout) campaigner Saviour Balzan welcomed the hunters’ decision, but questioned why it took them so long to decide.

The Constitutional Court gave its go ahead to an abrogative referendum during the first week of January.

Pointing out that the announcement was not made by FKNK’s chief Lino Farrugia, Balzan insisted that it was high time that debates take place.

“It is extremely important that we start holding debates so that the electorate makes an informed decision rather than deciding on pretty posters and slogans. People need to hear the truth,” he said, praising host Joe Azzopardi for being one of the very few TV presenters to dedicate a  debate to the referendum.

Balzan said a debate on spring hunting would help the truth come out.

On her part, Grima added that journalists will be given the opportunity to ask questions during Saturday's press conference.

Grima is representing FKNK CEO Lino Farrugia in a libel case instituted against a MaltaToday cartoonist over a cartoon featuring Farrugia relieving himself against a rubble wall, while being watched by a drone flying overhead - the humorous send-up was a reaction to news that the government would be using drones to monitor the hunting season.

Tonight’s announcement on Xarabank will be followed by a press conference tomorrow to officially launch the YES campaign. A reaction by NO camp SHout is expected soon afterwards. Hunters have also been advised not to confront the NO lobby.

It transpires that the hunting lobby has been under pressure by the political parties not to boycott the referendum, despite the hunters’ reluctance to participate.

The referendum will be held on the 11 April. Recent polls have shown that the YES and NO camps are neck to neck.

MaltaToday will be publishing the latest surveys this Sunday.