Stand on hunting

So "Roamer" (The Sunday Times, April 15) declares himself a member of the "anti-hunting lobby". Is this the same "Roamer" who said on April 1 that the government's spring hunting position is both moral and responsible?

Someone who is truly anti-hunting does not consider the cold-blooded killing of birds moral and responsible, under any circumstances. Some people may disagree with some of my arguments, and hunters will obviously disagree with most of what I say, but at least I do not pose as an unbiased observer when I obviously have an anti-hunting agenda.

For "Roamer" to disguise his obvious pro-government propaganda as an unbiased argument coming from an anti-hunting person smacks of cowardice and dishonesty. The anti-hunting lobby does not need people who find the killing of birds acceptable, moral and responsible, as long it's in the interests of a political party.

I suppose "Roamer", who sometimes writes on religious topics with self-assigned authority, should know that honesty is one of the things required of people who consider themselves Catholic.

For a more detailed reply to "Roamer", visit http://animalrightsmalta.blogspot.com/2007/04/youre-either-with-us-or-against-us.html

"Roamer" writes: Disagree with the hunters' lobby and you get Lino Farrugia. Disagree with anti-hunters and you get Kenneth Cassar; you get him even if you agree with anti-hunting.

"Someone who is truly anti-hunting does not consider the killing of birds moral and responsible under no circumstances."

Pace Mr Cassar, I am anti- hunting and have expressed my sentiments on the subject in "Roamer's Column" long before Mr Cassar was out of his shorts, long before BirdLife Malta existed, long before any Birds Directive, long before the EU came into existence.

The point discussed last Sunday was not the morality or immorality of bird-shooting, but the government's position on the matter of the Birds Directive, derogation, etc. It was this that I said was neither 'immoral nor irresponsible'. One may disagree with its position, but that is another matter.

And, just as a matter of interest, I am of the conviction that there are occasions when the killing of animals is perfectly lawful - and moral. The European Commission is of like mind in the matter of birds so long as these are shot in the autumn and so long as they are defined by this or that country as 'pests'.