To me, the report Two Hunters Fined Almost €1,000 made pathetic reading (October 9); I could just visualize in my mind both of them raising their fingers as they walked out of the courtroom and I doubt, very much, whether the sentence will have any lasting effect as a deterrent on the scores of other maverick hunters in these islands.

The law is much too lenient on a crime which is doing immense harm to our economy and reddening the faces of the rest of us who condemn such barbarism.

Both parties in Parliament should agree, without delay, to increase drastically the deterrent. Only those who are prepared to flout the law would object; 99 per cent of the local population is against the irregular shooting of birds.

I suggest that anyone found guilty of shooting at a protected bird should face a minimum sentence of three months jail (no chance of suspension), a fine of €5,000, the permanent withdrawal of his hunting licence and the confiscation of his firearm and ammunition. The law should be preceded by a widespread warning in large letters to ensure that no one pleads ignorance of the law.

Such action would ensure that we rid ourselves of this scourge once and for all and we would, at last, enjoy watching the thousands of migrating birds using Malta and Gozo as an overnight resting place; more of them might decide to spend the winter with us. It could also perhaps, with experienced guides - reformed maverick hunters with cameras? - create a new tourist attraction.