In a press conference this morning Christian Debono, the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting spokesperson said, “yesterday, the Coalition submitted its petition to call for an abrogative referendum to end spring hunting on the Maltese islands.

“Over 44,000 people signed the petition and the Coalition can confirm that 40,351 of those appear on the electoral register. The people that signed the petition have added their voice to call for the referendum because they care about the impact of spring hunting on birds, people and Malta’s reputation. On behalf of the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting, I would like to take this opportunity to thank every single one of them for signing.”

He added, “while it has been possible to call for an abrogative referendum since 1996, the law requires that 10% of people that can vote in a Maltese general election must sign the petition to demand that one takes place. This is not easy to achieve and the significance of this achievement cannot be underestimated. This is indeed a historic moment.

“We know that there are many reasons why people have added their name to the petition, but there are three main reasons that people have told us again and again.”

He said, “first of all, most Maltese people find the killing of birds that are flying over our islands on their way to mainland Europe to breed to be completely unacceptable. They believe that these birds should be able to fly over Malta safely. They all agree that spring should be for the birds

“Secondly, people have told us that they are frightened to go in to the Maltese countryside during the spring hunting season. This is because of the occupation of large areas of public land by hunters. No one enjoys feeling that their children might be in danger when they are enjoying the countryside or that they may be subjected to abuse or aggressive intimidation by hunters. Spring is a very special time of year when the Maltese countryside is at its most beautiful. So the people that have signed the petition all agree that spring should be for everyone.

“Finally, a large proportion of people who signed the petition believe that the secret deals that the hunting lobby has made with successive governments of both parties to gain more privileges is not how a modern democracy should work. They believe that things must change on these islands and that the referendum will change Malta for good.”

Debono concluded, “it is now the job of the Electoral Commission to verify the petition signatures and begin the process that will lead to a referendum. This will enable all of the people to finally have their voice heard on spring hunting so it can be stopped on these islands once and for all.”

The coalition is made up of thirteen organisations who have agreed to work together to bring an end to spring hunting on the Maltese islands. The organisations are: Alternattiva Demokratika, BirdLife Malta, Coalition for Animal Rights, Din l-Art Helwa, Flimkien ghal Ambjent Ahjar, Friends of the Earth Malta, Gaia Foundation, Greenhouse Malta, International Animal Rescue Malta, Malta Organic Agriculture Movement, Moviment Graffiti, Nature Trust and Ramblers Association of Malta.

The Coalition is an equal partnership of thirteen organisations bringing their skills and expertise to achieve an end to spring hunting on Malta

Why the call for a referendum?

The Coalition said, “There are about 15,000 registered hunters and trappers on Malta. Some general elections have been won on just 5,000 votes. Hunters have used this to demand concessions from the major political parties in return for votes. Both of Malta’s main political parties have made deals with hunters to gain votes. However, recent surveys have shown that at least 60% of Maltese voters would like to see spring hunting abolished. With both main political parties’ pre election actions always resulting in concessions being given to hunters, a referendum is the only way that the majority of people can make their demands for the abolition of spring hunting a reality.

“During spring 2013, the government removed €50 special licence fee and identification armbands for registered hunters. As a result there were 50% more registered hunters during the spring hunting season of 2013 compared with 2012. In spring 2014, hunting will be allowed on Sundays and public holidays.

“Spring hunting is made possible in Malta through a derogation of the EU Birds Directive. Although the Directive is aimed at protecting birds, exceptions for the taking or killing of birds can be made where air safety, public health, research and nature protection are concerned, as well as the capture, keeping or other judicius use of birds is done in small numbers, on a selective basis and under strictly supervised conditions. Killing for sport is not judicious use. While the European Commission carefully monitors the situation on Malta, they are slow to act.

“With various Maltese administrations over the years making spring hunting possible and a European Commission slow to act, the referendum is being called to enable the people to decide on the future of spring hunting on Malta.”

What is the problem with spring hunting on Malta?

The Coalition said, “Malta is on one of the flyways that birds use to migrate from Africa to northern Europe in the spring to reach their breeding grounds. Malta is a stopover point for very many types of protected birds, but these are often illegally targeted by hunters. Rare and threatened birds such as the Pallid Harrier, the Osprey, the Red-footed Falcon and even majestic species such as the Greater Flamingo and the White Stork have been targeted by hunters in the spring.

“Two types of bird are especially prized by hunters. Both Turtle Dove (Gamiema) and Quail (Summiena) have been hunted on Malta for many years, but both of these species have become species of conservation concern because their numbers are declining so rapidly in Europe.

“From both a conservation and hunting perspective it makes no sense to hunt birds that are returning to their breeding grounds. These are the birds that have survived the winter and would replenish bird populations if they reached their breeding grounds. Killing them in spring is therefore unsustainable.”

What is the referendum seeking to achieve?

The Coalition said, “the referendum will seek the abolition of the legislation that allows spring hunting to take place on Malta. The petition states, “We the undersigned persons being registered as voters for the election of members of the House of Representatives demand that the question whether the following provision of law, that is to say Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtledove and Quail Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 504.94 – Legal Notice 221 of 2010), should not continue in force, shall be put to those entitled to vote in a referendum under Part V of the Referendum Act.”

“The abrogative referendum that the petition triggers will ask for people to vote in favour of the abolition of Framework for Allowing a Derogation Opening a Spring Hunting Season for Turtledove and Quail Regulations (Subsidiary Legislation 504.94 – Legal Notice 221 of 2010) as amended to date.”

But what about minority rights?

“Hunters often claim that their rights to kill birds should be protected because it is a long-standing tradition among a minority of people and banning spring hunting would adversely affect their rights.” The Coalition pointed out, “the rights associated with minorities are usually linked to human rights and it has never been used to justify anti-social behaviour, by a minority of people. The argument that killing birds can constitute some sort of inalienable right of a minority of the population is simply absurd and an insult to those minorities in society who are struggling for their rights and equality.”

“Hunters in Malta already enjoy a 5-month hunting season in autumn for which the Birds Directive permits the killing of 41 game species. More than half of these species regularly migrate over Malta, including Turtle Dove and Quail, which can therefore be hunted in autumn. Therefore the abolition of any spring hunting season will still leave the hunters with a hunting season in autumn during which they can hunt for both Turtle Dove and Quail during a season when birds are less vulnerable,” the Coalition said

Will the hunters’ petition on minority rights affect the referendum?

“FKNK, the hunters’ federation, have been collecting signatures for a petition to parliament to call for a change in the Referenda Act to prevent referenda that might affect minority rights and past-times. The petition to call for a referendum to abolish spring hunting has been submitted in advance of any change in the law and so is not affected by this petition,” the Coaliton said.

When will the referendum happen?

The Coalition concluded, that it “has carefully timed the submission of the petition to allow the legal processes to take place so that the referendum can take place as the lowest possible cost to Malta. We therefore expect the referendum to coincide with the local elections of 2015.”

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