Bearskins

Stephen Farrugia (28 June) complains from Germany that wearing of bearskins by British guardsmen (there is no such creature as a Bear Skin Guard, Mr Farrugia) makes them look like Marge Simpson (whoever she might be) while British tourists refuse to visit Malta because of bird shooting there. The connection is somewhat tenuous and do not German tourists object to the slaughter of birds?

Conscious of objections, the British Army has already tried artificial fur supplied by People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) but it was both uncomfortably hot and bedraggled in our rainy climate. The bearskins incidentally were adopted after the Battle of Waterloo in recognition of the bravery of Napoleon's Imperial Guard who wore them.

I might observe that no black bears are killed for the sole purpose of providing head ware for British soldiers. Costing £650 a throw the hats are a by-product of Canadian culling as black bears need to be reduced in numbers.

In recent years many Maltese objected to the hunting of foxes with dogs in the UK and our Parliament banned the practice. Mr Farrugia will be happy to know that last month Ann Widdecome (Conservative) approved the motion of Chris Mullin (Labour) to abolish bearskins and so far 180 of 646 lawmakers have expressed support.

We take notice of foreign criticism (though tourism is not our lifeblood as it is of Malta) and maybe an all-party movement in the Maltese Parliament might have the same effect regarding bird trapping and shooting. Are birds creating problems in Malta - apart from the pigeons of course that townsfolk feed? In London on Sunday about 100 members of PETA paraded naked in protest at bearskins but somehow I cannot visualise a group of bird-lovers getting their kit off in Valletta.