I feel that enough has been said and written about spring hunting. Whether in favour or against, the season for spring hunting is on and within a couple of weeks the season is over. It is not my intention to deprive anybody such as columnists, the hunters' federation, the various caricaturists, BirdLife and the enormous number of letter writers from expressing themselves, because we live in a democratic country.

However, now that spring hunting is in full swing little or nothing can be done to stop it. On the contrary, our dear Malta has to bear the daily bad image that is being given by both sides of the media.

The government has finally taken a stand and we should wait for the outcome, so long as we are not forced to contribute through taxes for the government's decision. The impression given is that, although the government is prepared to contest the issue at court level, the outcome will be respected by Malta and no fines will be levied on us.

I see no reason whatsoever for BirdLife to publish pictures of any dead protected species. It would be much more beneficial if these were passed on to the police authorities for adequate action and any culprits given their due. There is a big question mark as to why these photos are not passed to the competent authorities for further investigation. Every effort is being done to minimise, or rather stop any shooting of protected birds.

It took only one loud call this morning by an individual hunter to let a marsh harrier go from being shot. This happened at about 6.45 a.m. at Wied il-Kbir, limits of San Gwann, Swieqi and Ta' l-Ibrag. Gone are the days when a hunter shoots at such birds on the reasoning that if he does not shoot it, somebody else will. Yes, we are on the right track, but it takes time for every hunter to be educated. I am convinced that tomorrow, we hunters at Wied il-Kbir will not need anybody to call for the protection of protected birds.

We have to be responsible for our actions. Only in this way can the government be in a position to put up a case on our behalf at the European Court. The government is being consistent and putting pressure on the European Union to honour its obligations to the negotiated agreement.

If there is a conflicting interpretation to the agreement, the European Court will be asked to deliver its judgment and both sides will honour such a ruling.

Until such time, I appeal to everybody to keep a low profile in the media, like all other European countries, but report to the appropriate authorities any wrongdoing by any hunter with relative proof for action. I am convinced that, with cooperation from all concerned, Malta will be spared the bad image being given and a compromised balance will be reached for this long-standing issue to be settled.

I would like to say well done to Michael Falzon for his contribution in The Times and on Smash TV. Is it possible that there are no members of Parliament to air their views in defence of our dear Malta. Come on, wake up, make your voice heard and defend our country from any malicious bad publicity coming from any Maltese or foreigner. The government has an important role to play. It should instruct the police to investigate every report in the papers, to check the origin of such reports and, if need be, bring to justice any unfounded information published. Killing Malta's reputation is by far worse than killing a protected bird, although I condemn both.