Labour MP Deborah Schembri this evening spoke in favour of retaining spring hunting at a political activity in Birzebbuga, saying that the derogation was a right obtained by Malta that should be safeguarded.

Speaking during the political rally, which is also being addressed by Prime Minister Joseph Muscat, Dr Schembri said people will decide in the referendum on whether to retain the derogation or not.

“The country will decide whether the government will retain the power that it has to use the derogation. If the no-vote wins, the government will lose that right and power.”

Dr Schembri said the derogation was a right that Malta won when it joined the EU. “We had to make a number of compromises when we joined but on spring hunting we obtained a derogation. This does not mean that the spring hunting season has to be opened automatically but at least that decision is up to us, up to the Maltese government. There were instances where hunting seasons were not opened. That decision has always been up to us and that is the way things should remain.”

 

Prime Minister Joseph Muscat was criticised last Sunday after dedicating a substantial part of his speech on the subject of hunting. Dr Muscat has stated long ago that he supports spring hunting and will vote Yes. When quizzed about his Sunday speech by journalists, Dr Muscat said he had only spoken on hunting once in the campaign so far and he saw nothing wrong in what he did.