The referendum YES campaign for spring hunting were in Gozo today, speaking in St Francis Square, Victoria, they stressed that the ‘Yes’ vote is “a vote for sustainable practices, where spring hunting leaves no impact on the population of the two species – turtle dove and quail.”

Spokesperson for the campaign, Dr Kathleen Grima said that the European Union permits Malta to open the season in spring, where the hunting of 16,000 birds is allowed under the derogation, while in Europe 7,500,000 turtle doves and quail are hunted every year, She insisted that the number in Malta has no impact on the sustainability of the species.

Dr Grima stated that if these birds were in danger of extinction, then the European Union would take action on those millions killed across Europe.

Furthermore, spring hunting is sustainable because it is restricted to 20 half days during April, while the majority of migration taking place in May, said Dr Grima.

Permalink: Yes campaigners in Gozo insist that spring hunting “is sustainable”