I fully agree with the recent letters by various correspondents regarding the avian flu virus and the measures which should be taken. Unfortunately, one particular letter by Alex Borg (October 19) is somewhat misleading.

First of all the government, through its ministry and veterinary services, have already stated in a recent press conference that they are being helped by hunters' associations on the issue. The association has also declared that it will do anything to protect the well-being of Maltese citizens and if necessary a total ban on hunting would be respected until the threat is cleared. The hunters will effectively be acting as sentinels for the first signs of avian flu.

The second misleading statement was that "quail and dove are theoretically the only birds which hunters in Malta are permitted to shoot". Although quails and turtledoves were always and are still the most sought after game birds in local traditional hunting, the law allows for the shooting from land of 32 birds, between September 1 and January 31, including quails and turtledoves. These two only may also be hunted between March and May 2.

The following link is very useful should anyone want the full list of birds which can be hunted in Malta; http://www.huntinginmalta.org.mt/the-law.htm