Coalition against spring hunting launch process for signatures collection

The Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting formally launched the process to gather signatures for a petition to call for a referendum to end spring hunting at a press conference at Buskett Gardens this morning.

At a press conference the representatives of the twelve organisations in the Coalition signed the petition to become the lead petitioners for the referendum.

Coalition spokesperson Rudolph Ragonesi described the referendum as a, "real chance for the people of Malta to end the cat and mouse game between the European Union and Malta that means spring hunting continues against the wishes of the vast majority of the Maltese population."

Ragonesi described the situation where Malta applies a derogation of the EU Birds Directive to allow spring hunting as, "completely against the purpose of such derogations."

Quoting the Birds Directive he said Malta was using a clause in the Birds Directive to permit, under strictly supervised conditions and on a selective basis, the capture, keeping or other judicious use of certain birds in small numbers' to allow hunting of turtle dove and quail for sport.

"Killing for sport is not judicious use," Ragonesi said.

 Coalition spokeperson Chris Debono said Malta was able to play a cat and mouse game with the EU by constantly changing the rules under which spring hunting takes place to justify that, spring hunting takes place the under strictly supervised conditions required by the Birds Directive.

"Every year Malta produces a report to demonstrate to the European Commission that the spring hunting season has been strictly supervised and controlled," Debono said.

"This usually results in serious questions from the European Commission that Malta has to satisfy or risk being taken to the European Court of Justice and risk very heavy fines."

Ragonesi also insisted that Malta risked facing fines every year, that could amount to millions, to allow something that is not good for bird conservation or in the best interests of responsible hunters. "Maltese voters can stop this by signing the petition to help ensure that the referendum takes place," he urged.

People wanting to sign the petition or help gather signatures should email [email protected]