The Editor, Sir:

It is with the utmost pleasure that I endorse and fully support the call for immediate steps to be taken to ban bird shooting. The Government needs to take serious note of this advice from the Portland Environment Protection Association (PEPA).

Environmental issues are a feature of our modern society and international funding agencies such as the World Bank are enlightened as to the need to conserve and preserve our environment for the future. Indeed, it has been shown that conservation measures are more beneficial than abusive and violent practices.

For instance, the case against whaling versus whale-watching which grosses a lot more income from tourism for countries in the southwest Pacific, northeast Pacific and Atlantic, Africa and southeast India regions of the world has long been asserted.

I should think that enough shooting takes place in Jamaica without us having the need for other targets. But, maybe it is a situation of which comes first, the chicken or the egg.

I am, etc.,

CHARMAINE R. SMITH

che8492000@yahoo.com

St. Andrew

Via Go-Jamaica