Reference is made to the article (TMID 4 February) about finch smuggling.

The fact that finches can be readily bought in countries such as Italy, a long time EU member, confirms that the practice of trapping finches is still common in such countries. The Italians and other EU citizens trap songbirds for their own needs but have no qualms about selling a number of birds to the Maltese if the opportunity arises.

Another point that arises from the article is the admission by Birdlife that local trappers capture few birds. This poor annual bag is borne out by the perennial demand for finches locally. This is a far cry from the hundreds of thousands of birds quoted by Birdlife in previous statements.

R. Cordina

ATTARD