Having followed both sides of the spring hunting referendum campaign, I must admit that I find the facts presented rather confusing. On the one hand I am told that derogation is possible, the hunted birds are sustainable and that Malta has a right to derogate. On the other, I am led to believe the exact opposite. Though both seem equally convincing, I am more inclined to believe what to me is undoubtedly the most reliable.

Malta, as part of the European Union, is bound to implement and abide by European Directives. As a member state, we are entitled to derogate from any Directive that is not wholly or entirely applicable to our needs or local conditions. Malta has derogated from other treaty obligations and directives other than that for spring hunting. In all instances it has done so under the complete scrutiny of the European Commission. 

I note that Malta was taken to the European court over the spring derogation and has since then derogated at least four or five times without the European Commission objecting. I am now even more convinced than ever before that, should the derogation have been in default of any Directive or court ruling, we would not have seen both the Prime Minister and the Leader of the Opposition declaring they will vote in favour. Clearly, both think in terms of political advantage, yet there seems to be no politics involved in their decision as both confirmed this as fact. Also, Dr Busuttil was instrumental in securing the spring derogation and is as knowledgeable as Dr Muscat on the implications of flouting EU law. 

Personally, I see nothing wrong in letting our hunters legally hunt for a few half-days in spring. I am quite sure that if the birds they hunt were in any way endangered, or if hunters were transgressing any EU law, the European Commission would have acted far more quickly than the years taken by the lobby trying to ban this activity.

The Referendum Act has been in place for decades - long before Malta joined the EU. 

Why is it only now that the anti-hunting lobby is so desperate to ban spring hunting, and not when the same season lasted for three months plus, the enforcement of laws was non-existent and Malta had no watchdog to oversee the compliance of hunters with EU law? 

I have no doubt that my vote will go in support of the 'Yes' campaign and I hope many others will follow what I believe is the most rational way forward.

Alexander J. Zammit McKeon

Mġarr