Spring hunting debate raises tensions

Tempers flared at a debate on the proposed referendum on spring hunting at University. The tension rose as representatives of the hunting and anti-hunting lobbies argued over whether an abrogative referendum would impinge on the rights of the hunting minority. Organised by the Univeristy Student Council, the debate saw the hunter's federation, FKNK, go head-to-head with conservation NGO Birdlife over the validity of an abrogative referendum to abolish spring hunting. The referendum is being proposed by a coalition made up of: Ramblers Association of Malta, Nature Trust, Moviment Graffiti, International Animal Rescue Malta, Greenhouse Malta, Gaia Foundation, Friends of the Earth Malta, Flimkien għal Ambjent Aħjar, Din l-Art Ħelwa, Coalition for Animal Rights, Birdlife Malta and Alternattiva Demokratika. The campaign to collect petition signatures was formally launched in August and last night reached the 25,000 mark. For the referendum to be held, the coalition has to collect the signatures of 10 per cent of eligible voters – more than 34,000 people. Asked about why the coalition had proposed the referendum, Birdlife Malta executive director Steve Micklewight said the hunting...