I have been living in Malta for nine years. Without fail, every spring and autumn hunting season results in the death of many species of protected birds. May I emphasis the word ‘protected’.

Most of the hunters who are responsible for the death of these beautiful birds are never brought before the courts.

The very few who are, are usually denounced by the hunters’ federation, FKNK, as not belonging to the association.

Malta is a very small island. I suggest that all hunters, whether they belong to the FKNK or not, are known to each other and, as such, they form part of the hunting fraternity.

If the FKNK cannot control the actions of all hunters when it comes to the protection of these beautiful birds, then their responsibilities should be taken over by the Parliamentary Secretary for Animal Welfare.

If we allow these illegal actions to continue, then in the not-too-distant future there will be no beautiful birds left to grace the skies of our beautiful planet and that would be a great tragedy.