Following a call by both Kaċċaturi San Ubertu and FKNK for a moratorium on turtle dove hunting, Alternattiva Demokratika – The Green Party expressed its sense of relief following the hunters’ change of heart.

‘Sustainability is a key factor in nature protection including in conservation of bird species. Shooting down birds on their way to breed is already unjustified on its own merits let alone when same species of birds killed is dwindling in numbers and turtle dove hunting is a case in point. AD always opposed spring hunting to the extent of calling for a referendum on said grounds. Quails and particularly turtle doves are both experiencing decline in numbers as confirmed through scientific data including reports by the EU. Pity that the hunters opposed us and environmental NGOs on the issue for so many years and took so long to come to terms with this reality and that both PN and PL supported such an unsustainable practice.’ said Simon Galea, spokesperson for Animal Welfare and Agriculture.

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Il-kaċċaturi jbiddlu l-ħsieb? 

Wara s-sejħa tal- Kaċċaturi San Ubertu u l-FKNK biex ikun hemm moratorium fuq il-kaċċa għall-gamiem, AD qalet li tilqa’ dak li jidher li huwa bidla fil-ħsieb ta’ dawn l-organizazzjonijiet. 

‘Kollox idur mal-kunċett ta’ sostenibilita’. Il-kaċċa ta’ għasafar li sejrin ibejtu mhux sostenibbli u ma tag’milx sens, aktar u aktar fuq speċi li kull ma jmur dejjem qed jonqsu. AD dejjem opponiet il-kaċċa fir-rebbiegħa propju għal dawn ir-raġunijiet, u kien għalhekk li sejħet għal referendum. Kemm il-gamiem u s-summien qed jonqsu. Dan huwa ikkonfermat permezz ta’ studji xjentifiċi. Ħasra li l-kaċċaturi għal snin twal opponew is-sewwa magħruf u li iss biss qed jaċċettaw ir-realta’ tas-sitwazzjoni. Ħasra li kemm l-PN u l-PL appoġġaw prattiċi insostenibbli għal snin sħaħ’, qal Simon Galea, kelliem ta’ AD dwar l-agrikultura u l-ħarsien tal-annimali.