Birds of prey conundrum

Martin Hulme (Letters, 8 January) asks if the Scottish Gamekeepers Association agrees that those convicted of killing birds of prey such as red kites should serve custodial sentences.

The SGA does not feel that, other than for persistent offenders, custodial sentences are appropriate, and the law as it stands is more than adequate to deal with offenders.

Given that wildlife managers have no legal means to stop protected predators killing their stock and other wildlife, which is declining at an alarming rate due to this predation, perhaps a more pertinent question would be: should the Birds' Directive not now be correctly interpreted to allow Scotland's economic and wider biodiversity interests to be served?

ALEX HOGG, Chairman, SGA, Eddleston, Peeblesshire