Sir, The Courier’s recent coverage on the thorny subject of neonicotinoid insecticides and pollinator losses show that problems of this nature seldom have a single or easily identifiable cause.
The European Committee’s decision to impose some restrictions from December 1 this year is a welcome one if the breathing space is used wisely. When the chemicals came into use in the 1990s they were thought to be much safer as they appeared to be less harmful to the farmers and spray operators than organophosphates. Only time will tell if that is the case.
Whilst it is laudable that the Scottish Government has made a £200,000 aid package available to the hard-pressed bee farmers it cannot be a long-term solution if the underlying problem for their losses remains unidentified.
The scientific studies which were recently undertaken by the neuroscientist Dr Christopher Connolly and his team show enough evidence that bees’ brains are being affected to warrant further research.
Surely it would now be logical for money to be made available to do those all important field tests which are impossible to replicate in a laboratory.
We should also not ignore the possibility that unforeseen changes in our electromagnetic environment are taking place and may be being caused by the extremely rapid growth in HDTV, weather radars, WiFi, WiLan and mobile broadband internet via satellite transmission.
Marion Lang. Westermost, Coaltown of Callange, Ceres, Cupar.
Out of sight out of mind?
Sir, Re Mr Milne’s letter (April 29), Dudley Treffry’s article did not mislead us. We knew perfectly well where the £820,000 came from. We were trying to draw attention to Ardler’s plight re lack of public transport. Mr Milne appears to think £820,000 to be spent on “sprucing up” (Mr Treffry’s words not ours) is acceptable.
After Blairgowrie and Rattray Regeneration Company became defunct all work ceased. After giving this money to the council can we be sure that it will be used frugally as we see nothing untoward with the Wellmeadow at the moment?
This money, we are sure, could be used for more worthy causes. The old school in Ardler is in total disrepair and dangerous. Being next to the play park it certainly could do with a bit of “sprucing up” but it seems to be “out of sight, out of mind”.
Andrew Fyall. 8 Wallace Street, Ardler, Blairgowrie.
Spend two weeks there
Sir, Wind turbines would be banned across a fifth of Scotland under the first Scottish Government planning proposals specifically designed to protect the nation’s iconic wilderness.
Do not be deceived, Alex Salmond is throwing up a smokescreen and other areas will be contaminated with useless turbines.
There is a solution to this “march of the triffids”.
Councillors who are considering wind turbine applications should be required to try to sleep for a week near a turbine. This will give them an insight into what local residents are suffering.
If they refuse the planning application and it goes to the Scottish Government then it should be mandatory that those who will be responsible for the decision should also spend time trying to sleep near a turbine.
There are many who would gladly offer the officials free accommodation. I am sure these same people would be glad to offer Alex Salmond two weeks’ accommodation. Then instead of lording it with “we have the best CO2 reduction targets in the world”, he would perhaps understand the cost in human misery.
Clark Cross. 138 Springfield Road, Linlithgow.
Unicorn, truly a unique ship
Sir, Mr Russell raises some very interesting points about HMS Unicorn’s future (Letters, April 30). HMS Unicorn was designed for some 20 – 30 years’ life and, astonishingly, has now survived nearly 200 years. All other ships of comparable age and size worldwide have been extensively re-built. This makes Unicorn’s authenticity truly unique and immensely valuable.
If we keep the ship afloat, she will need an expensive re-build which will destroy her authenticity but taking her out of the water will also be expensive. Before any decision is reached about the ship’s future, a full condition survey on the hull is planned. We have been working for many years with Dundee City Council to resolve Unicorn’s future.
The images shown in The Courier do not show the internal and external support which would be required if the ship were out of the water. However, wooden ships are designed to be docked on their keels and have internal pillars to carry the load. In addition, Unicorn has original internal iron bracing which adds immense extra strength.
Water does not provide an even support along the ship’s length and Unicorn’s hull has already distorted after her many years afloat. This could be stabilised if the ship was out of the water. We are now affiliated with the National Museum of the Royal Navy, which includes HMS Victory, the Royal Naval Museum, the RN Submarine Museum and the Fleet Air Arm Museum.
We are also working extremely closely with National Historic Ships.
Roderick Stewart. Operations Director, The Unicorn Preservation Society.