Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – I am a retired ecologist/wildlife manager. I find it extraordinary that people from all over the place, without any ecological qualifications, still see fit to pontificate on the subject of the reintroduction of beavers to Scotland.
Actually, that almost begs the question now, for beavers are happily ensconced along the banks of several rivers in the Tay catchment, having sneakily pre-empted the final results of SNH’s Knapdale trial.
The beaver is a ‘keystone’ species and deemed of great importance for improving the environment, especially by those whose study of them is their speciality.
I am not a beaver expert but I have read some of the science and am completely convinced that their return to Scotland is a very good thing.
If, as numbers increase, one or two cause problems, they can be treated as they would be in Bavaria: eliminated or trapped and moved.
Quite what the relevance of Bear Island and polar bears has to the situation of beavers in Scotland escapes me.
However, I am neither a retired engineer nor a fishing advisor to some wealthy people over in the west, so clearly lack the necessary knowledge to elucidate this.
Information and education about beavers and their benefits is freely available, not least from the Scottish Wild Beaver Group at scottishwildbeavers.org.
David R. Grant.No. 2 Balintore Cottage,Balintore,Kirriemuir.
‘Red light district’ less than welcome
Sir, – I noticed with amusement your report that a driver had taken out one of the sets of traffic lights at Inveralmond roundabout in Perth. Pity they didn’t hit them all.
I fail to understand why the would-be city of Perth has permanent traffic lights on this roundabout rather than the part-time situation that frequently pertains in real cities like Glasgow.
On several occasions, in the dead of night, I have encountered three consecutive red lights blocking my progress from Dunkeld Road heading up the A9 to Luncarty.
It is rather ironic that in our green energy conscious culture it is perfectly OK to sit and pollute the atmosphere whilst waiting to negotiate such an unnecessary obstacle.
Incidentally, I have seen more evidence of traffic accidents on this roundabout since the installation of the lights than pertained in its previous free-moving lightless existence.
John Napier.Redgorton, By Perth.
Human rights legislation is badly flawed
Sir, – There has been yet another case, this time in Perth, of criminals from abroad committing crimes in this country and not being deported (February 14).
John Nicoll is referred to as an American, but there is no word of whether he also holds a British passport. If he does not, then why has he not been deported long before now?
The other high-profile case is that of the Moslem extremist, Abu Qatada, whom a European court will not allow us to deport as that would infringe his human rights. Meanwhile, he has cost us a fortune to keep in prison, plus thousands of pounds in benefits for his family and now the taxpayer has to foot a bill of £10,000 a week to keep him under 24-hour-a-day police surveillance!
He had already been accused of crimes abroad before he came here, as had the American. The latter had even served time in a US jail.
There are thousands of other cases of foreign criminals continuing to commit crimes over here, yet being allowed to stay because deporting them would infringe their human rights.
What about the rights of taxpayers who not only have to pay for all kinds of legal, court, police, prison and benefits expenses for these people but suffer from their continuing criminal activities?
The time is long past for either renouncing EU membership or ditching those elements, such as the authority of the European courts, which are a threat to our economy and the safety of our own citizens.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
A parlous state of affairs
Sir, – No one seems to have asked the obvious question about John Nicoll. Why was he allowed into the UK? Obviously since he was monitored from his arrival, his record and potential to damage citizens of the UK were known before he entered.
Do we really have to allow criminals from every country to enter the UK then let them stay here?
What a parlous state of affairs. What are our politicians thinking?
Jean McLennan.5 Bruce Drive,Carnoustie.
Time to let Jim off the Leish
Sir, – Judging by the downbeat look on the Labour benches at last week’s Fife Council budget meeting, their local election campaign is in need of a fillip.
Will it get it with the adoption of Jim Leishman as a Labour candidate for Dunfermline?
The challenge of managing a football club is one thing; that of running a local authority very different.
Still, I think his candidature will brighten up what might have been a dull campaign.
Bob Taylor.24 Shiel Court,Glenrothes.
How low can we go?
Sir, – So there will be a yes or no question on independence. The gurus comment and speculate. No one mentions turnout.
I would like to know if voting will be compulsory?
Below what turnout will the result of the referendum be considered null and void, if at all?
A. T. Geddie.68 Catleton Avenue,Glenrothes.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.