He who holds the gun

What a sensible and measured letter about the "real cost of hunting" from Wylie Cunningham (April 12).

Yes, Malta can ill afford the loss of friends and support but it is, I fear, too late already! In the past few weeks I have followed the migratory routes of swallows and other birds from South Africa northwards. Journeys of amazing skill and dexterity - far beyond the ability of the average human yet commonplace for these tiny creatures. All along my route naturalists, both professional and amateur, have been decrying the barbaric slaughter of these birds once they get to Europe and, more specifically, if they should be misfortunate enough to reach Malta! Four days ago I watched swallows swirling round the ruins of Carthage in Tunis and felt like weeping as I knew these graceful birds were bound for Malta's shores.

Tourism is the life blood of our islands and yet we continue to allow the sound of gunfire from dawn to dusk and the sight of dead and dying birds to greet our much needed clients. We have the laws but no will to implement them! Why is this? Cannot the young and the educated persuade the ignorant of the harm they are doing or does this stubborn minority feel "he who holds the gun wins any argument"?

Let us use the old skills and craft of the genuine huntsmen in creating a new form of eco tourism here. Let Malta and Gozo be the places people come to in order to see the awe inspiring passage of the migratory birds. Let the huntsmen contribute to our future prosperity by using their hides and known vantage points to show the world these wonders!

This is my prayer for Holy Week.