PL would continue to allow spring hunting but leader Joseph Muscat refused to specify whether the party would lift a ban on hunting after 15:00h during autumn and whether the ‘gold plating’ of wildlife protection would be removed.

During a visit to the Għadira Nature Reserve this morning Birdlife enquired about issues regarding wildlife protection, law enforcement and safe access to the countryside which issues have been part of the ‘Your Voice Counts’ campaign.

Joseph Muscat insisted that no illegal hunting would be tolerated but pledged that Labour would retract the €50 fee for the ‘special spring hunting license’. The PL leader held that hunting in public nature parks will only be abolished if compromise is reached between the government and the respective organisations.

BirdLife Malta’s Executive Director Steve Micklewright explained that he was pleased with Dr Muscat’s visit as it shows PL’s willingness to engage in discussions with conservation organisations such as Birdlife. Together with candidates Silvio Parnis, Stefan Buontempo and Jason Micallef, Dr Muscat engaged in a spot of bird watching and experienced the work of Birdlife.

Mr Micklewright made reference to the health and recreational benefits that natural spaces and countryside offer to people, highlighting the fact that Maltese people suffered from the third highest rate of obesity in Europe.

The PL leader concluded that he was intrigued by a proposal put forward by Mr Micklewright for the creation of a Nature Reserve in the south of Malta.