Malta to hold abrogative referendum on Spring hunting in April

Malta is to stage a national abrogative referendum on Spring hunting which falls on April 11 this year by means of Presidential Writ.

The archipelago's Electoral Commission informed on Saturday that those voters who would be abroad or hospitalized on the designated day may vote one week before.

Malta's tradition of Spring hunting season is a point of contention in Malta that has become the focus of questions and controversy over land use, sustainability and biodiversity.

Located between continental Europe (267 km) and Africa (284 km), Malta is a stepping stone on a seasonal bird migration route between the two continents, in spring and autumn.

Carmel Cacopardo, the Deputy Chairman of Alternattiva Demokratika - The Green Party in Malta, wrote that "the abrogative referendum which was given the green light by Malta's Constitutional Court earlier this month is the first of its kind. It is a referendum which, if successful, will delete from Malta's statute book regulations that permit spring hunting for quail and turtledove."

Malta's Minister for Tourism Edward Zammit Lewis explained to Xinhua that the government is in favor of the continuation of legal Spring hunting and believes again that a balance must be struck between the competing interests.

He said that initiatives are being taken to promote eco-tourism, including from bird watching enthusiasts.

"Due to our situation as a small island with a limitation in space I understand that we have to keep a fine balance between the two aspects," said the minister.

"So we intend to strike a balance between the two at times conflicting interests (of local hunting and eco-tourism)," the minister said.

The Spring hunting season in 2014 was 19 days long, ending on April 30.

Malta has come under pressure in recent years in international campaigns against its traditional Spring hunting season. Endit