Maurice Mizzi and Cliifford John Williams (The Sunday Times, October 16) seem to have something in common because they both referred to slavery, but at the same time they failed to mention that hunting is practised in all parts of the world in 2011. Banning hunting is definitely not a solution for many reasons and I shall try to use facts to prove both of them wrong.

Spring hunting was opened after a lapse of three years, albeit in a very restricted manner and at a hefty charge to compensate for additional government expenses introduced to regulate and enforce conditions.

Hunters got the message and there were few irregularities, and everyone, myself included, strove to ensure that illegal hunting is limited as much as possible.

We took risks to ensure the law is observed, because it is easy to be an armchair critic but very difficult to confront an armed hunter and try to educate him. In this respect I feel we have come a long way, and next spring things will improve further.

The problem was that as soon as the season was closed there were irregularities and the illegal hunting of a vast number of storks, amply proving that ban on hunting makes no sense and serves no purpose. I am not saying that hunting should remain open to deter illegal activity, but banning hunting is no solution.

Also worth mentioning is that following the shooting of the storks, poachers were apprehended and sentenced to long months in prison. This is the only way to deal with illegal hunting. It is most unfair to penalise me for the wrongdoing of others. Poachers should think before they act since their action could ruin their families in the process.

Referring to the moral aspect and referendum, I believe that any government has the moral duty to open decent hunting seasons, since before the 2003 EU referendum all hunters were assured in writing that hunting/trapping would continue to be allowed without the latest restrictions. In other words it would be immoral now for any government to ban hunting (trapping is already banned).

Legal hunting never had any adverse effect on tourism. I have been in the tourism business since I left school. It is the inflated media image presented by those who militate against hunting that put the island in a bad light and cause harm.

In the 50 years I have been working in the sector, tourism always continued to grow, registering a record last year that will probably be exceeded this year.

However, I do have something in common with Mr Mizzi and Mr Williams. We are all against illegal hunting, but for goodness’ sake they should not use illegal hunting to try to ban hunting. I do not insist on a smoking ban just because I am not a smoker.