The letter by Robert Aubrey, A Better Approach To Hunting (March 14), is commendable. Contrary to the usual mundane criticism from non-Maltese nationals, his letter suggests a rational approach whereby the rearing of game birds, which subsequently will be released in the countryside for sport purposes, would eliminate EU conflicts

What he might not be aware of is that hunters saw an increase in licence fees in the early 1980s specifically for this purpose. This came about after a purposely appointed committee was meant to run a rearing programme to supplement wild game birds.

Though these monies are still reflected in today’s hunting licence fees nothing has materialised to date.

What Aubrey should also note with regard to any such project being possible is that, while all NGOs in Malta benefit from public funding and none of their members pay any sort of licence, the hunter’s NGO, which embraces about 14,000 members, who each pay a substantial licence fee, had their funding withdrawn by the previous government.

Perhaps under the present Administration, which declared it will treat hunters as equals to ordinary citizens, Aubrey’s suggestion might finally materialise. With all the money paid for the purpose over the years, the released birds would far outnumber the local population. The real pity though is that that money, including that collected from licences and many other taxes, has probably been squandered on roofless theatres and a Parliament building no one ever requested.