Bird slaughter may be banned in Malta

I had resolved never to visit Malta.

I boycotted it because of the notorious bird massacres there each spring and autumn. Thirty-five percent of the country’s GDP comes from tourism, so refusing to visit was pressure for change. Now, the Maltese constitutional court has decided that a national referendum on spring hunting can be held.

The ruling has been welcomed by BirdLife Malta, which has fought a bitter, and occasionally dangerous, battle with the hunters. Polls indicate that the overwhelming majority of Maltese are on the side of the birds, so a favourable outcome seems certain.