MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Malta's hunting supporters gathered 51 percent of the vote at a referendum on the ban of spring bird hunting that is believed to reduce the population of migratory birds, the Times of Malta reported Sunday.
The referendum held Saturday followed the ‘Yes’ and ‘No’ campaigns conducted by spring hunting supporters and opponents in Malta. Prime Minister Joseph Muscat backed the hunters.
According to the 'No' campaign website, the spring hunting of birds should be banned as birds flying to Europe from Africa using Malta as temporary stop are shot before they can give birth to the next generation.
Counting of votes underway in #Malta #referendum on hunting of birds in Spring. Results shouldn't take too long. pic.twitter.com/ruKxTCogqv
— Michael Briguglio (@BriguglioMike) April 12, 2015
Spring hunting of birds in Malta will start next week and will last until April 30.
Malta is the party to the EU Birds’ Directive that bans spring hunting and trapping. However, the country has used the right of derogation, rejecting the clauses on spring hunting. In 2008, the European Union accused Malta of breaching the legislation by allowing quail and turtle dove hunting in spring.
Malta remains the only EU country where recreational spring hunting is allowed. According to the 'No' campaigners, there are about 10,000 people in Malta who consider hunting as their hobby.
