Stop all wildlife killing

The root cause of the killing of raptors is the shooting of game birds for fun. If this were banned as a cruel and unnecessary activity, the perceived "need" for killing these birds would not be there. A recent survey showed around 40 per cent of game birds shot were injured rather than killed outright.

On the other hand, the RSPB, Woodland Trust and other so-called conservation organisations advocate the killing of wildlife - deer, squirrels, rabbits, hedgehogs etc - for the same reason as shooting estates. They don't want these species to "prey" on species they want to protect and exploit.

One lot is as bad as the other and the sooner all killing of wildlife and game is stopped the better. Wildlife and game birds are not there for our whims, amusement and exploitation.

ANGUS MACMILLAN

Meikle Boturich

near Balloch, Dunbartonshire