Thirteen well-known people have joined BirdLife Malta’s campaign against the illegal practice of spring hunting, urging the leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament to save Malta further embarrassment.

BirdLife Malta’s campaign “Stop illegal spring hunting now” was launched at the Radisson SAS Bay Point Resort in St Julian’s yesterday, attended by three well-known individuals that will feature in visuals appearing in different media in the coming weeks.

On 31 January, the European Commission’s announced that it had decided to take Malta to the European Court of Justice for allowing the hunting of quail and turtle-doves in spring over the past four years.

BirdLife Malta president Joseph Mangion, who also appears in the campaign’s visuals, appealed to both leaders of the political parties represented in Parliament to stop dragging their feet on this clear-cut matter.

The European Commission also expressed its intention to request an interim measure to stop spring hunting in 2008 should this prove necessary.

“The government and the Opposition should not attempt to burden the European Commission and the European Court of Justice with the decision to stop spring hunting in Malta, when it cannot be denied that a spring hunting season in Malta is unjustified,” said Mr Mangion.

He added that the mandate from the Maltese is crystal clear, as opinion polls have repeatedly shown that the overwhelming majority of people are firmly against spring hunting.

“The Maltese continue to be vociferous on this matter and it is wonderful to see these people stand up for our common natural heritage,” said Mr Mangion.

He insisted that BirdLife Malta is not interested in partisan politics. BirdLife is appealing to both Prime Minister Lawrence Gonzi and Opposition Leader Alfred Sant to take the same stand for the common good of the people.

This is a unifying issue for the Maltese and the case of spring hunting should not be used to cause division, Mr Mangion concluded.

BirdLife Malta executive director Tolga Temuge added that Malta has no excuse to allow spring hunting any longer.

“It’s about time we stopped this. Our campaign is a call for both political leaders to unite. The country has gained itself a pretty bad reputation it doesn’t deserve,” said Mr Temuge.

Two of the well-known figures appearing in the campaign, hotelier Winston J. Zahra and presenter Moira Delia agreed, saying they were honoured to form part of BirdLife’s action.

Mr Zahra said the decision to stop illegal spring hunting was an obvious one. Besides which, he said, spring hunting in Malta is an issue for the tourism industry, as many foreigners have said they would not come to Malta because of it.

Ms Delia, a self-proclaimed animal lover and animal activist, said: “Animals have no voice and no vote, but we do, so it’s just great to be involved in this campaign”.

Also taking part in BirdLife’s campaign are: artists Kenneth Zammit Tabona, Maurice Tanti Burlò and Celia Borg Cardona, journalist Sarah Puntan-Galea, columnist Andrew Borg Cardona, entertainer Gianni Zammit, TV presenters Ray Calleja and Pauline Agius, physicist Prof. Edward Mallia, musician Renzo Spiteri, and actor Alan Montanaro.

All photos appearing in the campaign were taken by The Malta Independent journalist Ben Borg Cardona.

For more information on BirdLife’s crusade against spring hunting and to view the visuals of this latest campaign visit www.birdlifemalta.org.