The PN has denied it would hold a referendum on spring hunting and accused the Saint Hubert Hunters (KSU) of spreading false allegations.

Notwithstanding the PN denial, the KSU argued that they have no doubts about what was asked from Dr. Gonzi by Mr. Herman Grech during the “Big Debate” and also no doubt what Dr. Gonzi replied.

In the same context the KSU asked the electorate to consider the PN advert in yesterday's media that states the PN’s intention of "keeping country weekends free and peaceful and birds safe within European Law". This advert made no reference to spring hunting but generalised, and as such is considered as a threat of imposing further restrictions on hunting in both spring and autumn.

Hunting in autumn and spring hunting derogations applied by the PN, are within European law as affirmed by the PN and only weekend and hunting on feast days in spring was denied by the PN without any form of compromise being considered, the KSU stated. A referendum “organized” by Lawrence Gonzi would accommodate these PN intentions.

The KSU asked whether Dr Gonzi was fully aware of what he was answering and have asked the PN to clarify its position on spring hunting before March 9.