New PN MP Trying To ‘Cancel’ Hunting Lifestyle In Malta, Lobby Head Warns
Lucas Micallef, president of the national hunting lobby group FKNK, has called out new PN MP Albert Buttigieg for trying to “cancel” the hunting lifestyle.
Micallef published an impassioned post after Buttigieg said in an interview with Times of Malta that the debate on spring hunting should be restarted despite the narrow failure of a 2015 arrogative referendum that was held to ban the practice.
“Politicians need to be free to carry out what is in the interest of the common good,” he said. “I have nothing against hunters but cannot understand hunting. Cavemen hunted [for survival]. We need to be bold when it comes to these things”.
He also warned that political parties are being “blackmailed” for votes by the hunting lobby.
Micallef claimed that Butitigieg’s statements indicate he endorses “mediocracy” and “cancel culture”.
“Many people speak about hunting and trapping without understanding the fundamental aspects of that that kind of lifestyle,” he said. “While they don’t understand the practice, they want to impose and practice cancel culture.”
“I don’t expect a person who was elected democratically to disrespect a democratic decision of Malta’s only abrogative referendum and I see this as a big problem.”
“When someone wants to understand parts of society, they should speak, question and discuss. While we don’t expect everyone to understand or agree with the [hunting] practice, we certainly expect the minority [of hunters] to be respected and safeguarded, particularly in a nation that always speaks about cultural, civic, economic, political and social rights.”
He ended his post with a cheeky dig at Buttigieg, a former mayor of St Julian’s, for having wished the people of his hometown a happy feast day last summer even though St Julian is the patron saint of hunters.
Speaking to Lovin Malta, Buttigieg denied that his comments amount to an endorsement of “cancel culture”.
“Not at all. Democracy is not static – as much as we change governments, so we can change positions – was it cancel culture when we abolished slavery, when we moved from a man-dominated culture or when we abolished the death penalty?”
“He is entitled to his opinion as much as I am; at least I am consistent and those who voted me knew my position and that I am an environmentalist.”
“Also Julian is a Hospitaller, welcoming of sick and vulnerable, no longer the saint of hunters, at least according to the Church.”
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