Alternattiva Demokratika-The Green Party has pledged full support to the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting. This pledge was made byArnold Cassola, AD Chairperson, when commenting on the next steps following the presentation of slightly under 45,000 signatures demanding an abrogative referendum which will consign spring hunting to the history books.
Simon Galea, spokesperson Animal Welfare & Agriculture, said: “Following the presentation of petition by the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting (CASH) to the Electoral Commission, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party thanks all environmental NGOs forming the Coalition for responding to the call for the formation of the Coalition. Today is a special day for civil society which stood up to be counted. Protecting the natural environment for the enjoyment of all is society’s right. Sadly enough both PL and PN have throughout the years given their blessing to this killing of birds on their way to their breeding grounds. AD, on the other hand, has consistently striven against this unsustainable practice which not only poses a negative impact on bird conservation but also denies us all the right to enjoy nature during spring.”
Carmel Cacopardo, AD Deputy Chairman and Spokesperson on Sustainable Development and Home Affairs, said that “within the Coalition for the Abolition of Spring Hunting AD had cooperated with twelve environmental NGOs in what is to date the largest environmental coalition in Malta. The results attained so far are ample enough proof that the pro-environmental forces on the island need to cooperate on more issues as they are the only ones who really care. AD is the only political party which throughout the years has taken a clear stand against spring hunting. The other parties, PN and PL have sought agreements with hunters’ lobby groups to time and again permit them to decimate the bird population when this is most in need of protection. Through the abrogative referendum AD and its partners in the Coalition will ensure that the 2014 Spring Hunting Season will be the last one,” concluded Cacopardo.
Alternattiva Demokratika Chairperson, Prof. Arnold Cassola, said: “AD will continue to monitor the abrogative referendum process closely and give its full support to the coalition. Nature protection and enjoyment of the countryside and other public spaces is at the top of AD’s agenda and we will continue to work in this direction, both at national level and at EU level, particularly if elected following next May’s election.”
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Il-Prof. Arnold Cassola, Chairperson ta’ AD qal : “AD ser tkompli issegwi mill-qrib il-proċess tar-referendum abrogattiv u tagħti appoġġ sħiħ lill-Koalizzjoni. Il-ħarsien tan-natura u t-tgawdija tal-kampanja u postijiet pubbliċi huma fuq quddiem nett fl-aġenda ta’ AD li ser tkompli bil-ħidma tagħha f’din id-direzzjoni kemm fuq livell nazzjonali kif ukoll fuq livell Ewropew, b’mod partikolari jekk tkun tkun eletta fl-elezzjonijiet ta’ Mejju li gej.”