Hunters to nominate independent candidate for European election

The hunters' Federazzjoni Kaccaturi Nassaba Konservazzjonisti has approved a motion to support an independent candidate it would soon be nominating for the European Parliament election.

The focal point on this candidate's programme would be to defend the traditional and legal hunting and trapping activities in Malta and Gozo.

The federation pointed out at a news conference on Thursday evening that the Ornis Committee, set up by the Environment Ministry for collaboration between hunters and environmentalists, was not being consulted about developments which were taking place.

They said employees from the Environment Ministry had recently embarked on a destructive campaign, pulling down hunters' and trappers' hides in an arrogant way and without any consultation.

Through this action, no attention was being given to the destruction of indigenous trees and plants planted by FKNK members in the l-Ahrax tal-Mellieha area.

L-Ahrax tal-Mellieha, the hunters said, had been administered by the FKNK since 1984. Since then, extensive restoration and cleaning work had been carried out after years of neglect.

The federation said it respected the police commissioner but certain police officers acted as judges and considered all hunters and trappers guilty without getting any proof against them.

Through the EP elections, the FKNK was taking steps to be in a better position so as not to allow any entity to take advantage of any situation, it said.