In a statement reacting to the FKNK press conference this morning, SHout – Spring Hunting Out campaigners, insisted the hunters have never been able to produce a formal agreement for their use of the land at Mizieb.

This morning the FKNK had invited the media to oversee a clean-up operation at the Mizieb hunting reserve, where they cleared debris, disposed of rubbish and restored some small rubble walls.

Romina Cuschieri, a hunter, said the Mizieb hunting reserve was “entrusted to the FKNK in an agreement which was signed 1986 and later confirmed in 2011”. She argued that “before the area was taken over by the FKNK, it had become overgrown and difficult to access by members of the public.

Responding to FKNK claims that the land at Mizieb was ‘entrusted’ to the hunters’ federation, SHout representatives said that the FKNK have never produced a lease to demonstrate that the government has formally handed over management of the land to them.

“Whereas,” the pointed out, “nature reserves managed by NGOs such as BirdLife Malta, Gaia, Nature Trust etc on behalf of the Government must have legal agreements in place and all follow a strict framework for the work they carry out on the land.”

Romina Tolu, SHout campaign coordinator said, “as well as not showing a formal agreement for their use of the land at Mizieb, the hunters actively try to exclude the public from enjoying it by placing ‘no entry’ signs. They don’t want people to see what really goes on in there when the media aren’t looking.”

“Voting no on 11 April will transform this publicly owned land from hunting hotspot in spring to a living woodland where birds can rest, nest and where the public can enjoy a peaceful walk or picnic at the best time of year,” she concluded.

FKNK sign in Mizieb: Photo by Caroline Rance

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