Apparently one of Malta’s “hobbies” and traditions that for Labour is worth worth defending than the environment is the habit of shooting at living beings that don’t shoot back. Lucas Micallef, the President of Malta’s main hunting group, the FKNK, is waging a political battle against the Nationalist Party in defence of his “hobby”.
There was a time when the Maltese shot at rabbits and birds to supplement their meals which were often lacking in fresh meat. Thankfully, due to economic development and widespread literacy and education, we moved away from many traditional habits such as beating up our wives.
That these so-called “hobbies” have become a national political issue for Labour, which it clearly wants to pitch against the environment as a priority, is problematic for various reasons. Primarily, the issue here is that Malta has an environmental crisis and different groups of self-entitled, middle-aged men want to have their “hobbies” prioritised over a national issue. Irrespective on which side you are on and whether you agree with these issues or not, primarily the issue is that the Labour Party is prioritising the privileged behaviour of a few people at the expense of a mature and national discussion over the conservation of our environment, which we are losing at a rapidly fast rate.
Clearly, the Nationalist Party has never said that it is going to ban hunting and Labour is making many exaggerated claims about the threats against religious feasts with disinformation and irrational alarm. However, even if it were so, Labour would still be wrong because it is fundamentally taking a position based on the interests of specific groups and not the national interest.ย Fundamentally, the Nationalist Party is right because it is taking a policy-position in favour of the national interest.
The FKNK is closely aligned with the Labour government, having been handed the management of L-Aฤงrax tal-Mellieฤงa. That decision blatantly undermined the national interest: a public environmental area once open to all now was restricted for the benefit of a small minority. This kind of politics is draining the countryโs resources and potential.
Yet, Lucas Micallef feels victimised. In a video published below, sourced from SideStreet Malta, Lucas Micallef laments about his victimisation and his fears about not being allowed to shoot at birds. Concerning, indeed.
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