Muirburning vital in cutting the risk of major wildfires in Cairngorms

Controlled burning of heather known as muirburn is not just carried out to benefit grouse. (Gordon Bulloch, letter in Strathy, March 27).

In Badenoch and Strathspey, moorland vegetation is burnt in controlled fires where this vegetation becomes rank and unpalatable to most herbivores.

The build up of dead, dry and old vegetation increases fuel loads.

This can become a wildfire risk particularly in the spring before sap rises in live vegetation as it comes out of its winter dormant state.

The build-up of fuel loads in the form of dead and dry vegetation which then ignites is what has happened in many parts of Australia, western USA, Canada and around southern Europe resulting in catastrophic wildfires.

Globally wildfires are now claimed to be the next biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in our atmosphere after the burning of fossil fuels.

On moorlands in Scotland, fuel loads have traditionally been managed by a combination of herbivore grazing and controlled burning.

In past centuries far more wild, feral and domestic herbivores grazed our moorlands than now.

In Badenoch, this activity included, cattle, sheep, goats and feral horses.

The introduction of sporting rates and climatic changes has resulted in a decline in grouse shooting and investment in moorland management including controlled burning and grazing sheep on moorland to reduce the number of tick infestations.

At the same time there has been a decline in mountain hares and deer.

There has been a build-up of dead, dying and rank vegetation on some of our moorlands.

The consequence has been an increase in wildfires, including their intensity and extent when they occur.

Controlled burning in the spring should take place when the ground vegetation is no longer wet or covered in snow, when underlying mosses and soil are still too wet to ignite and before ground nesting birds start nesting.

This normally restricts controlled burning to February, March and before 15 th April, only when conditions are suitable.

Jamie Williamson

Alvie Estate Office

Kincraig.

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Trump’s ripping up of red tape is good idea

Re your story last week “D-Day for Grantown’s solar panels plan”.

There’s nothing like bureaucracy to destroy value with their rules at times is there?

It's at times like this that I can understand Trump's slash and burn approach.

This NIMBY like aligned approach makes lawyers and consultants rub their hands with glee I guess.

Whoops, there goes another existing space we can effectively close…

Paul Aarden

Aviemore.

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Reading between the financial lines

The Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), publishing its economic and fiscal outlook to coincide with the Chancellor’s Spring Statement, noted a continuing weak growth in trade volumes over the coming years.

Figures indicate that exports fell 2.2 per cent in 2024, and imports rose by 1.6 per cent.

It notes that this weak growth in imports and exports over the medium term “partly reflects the continuing impact of Brexit”. This is expected to reduce the overall trade intensity of the UK economy by 15 per cent in the long term.

With a Labour government scratching around for levers that will boost economic growth, clearly it may want to re-examine its “red lines” of the UK not rejoining the EU single market or even the customs union.

Hit parents in the pocket to reduce attacks in school

A survey by the NASUWT teachers' union found that 49 per cent of female teachers and 36 per cent male teachers reported physical abuse or violence in the last 12 months.

The Scottish Government are entirely to blame with their soft touch policies which prevent the schools disciplining or throwing out these undesirables who will grow up as failures and be a burden on society and who prevent other pupils progressing.

There needs to be tough love both at school and at home. Unfortunately too many parents do not take parenting seriously and compound the problem.

The child allowance is £25.60 a week (£1331 a year) for the first child and £16.95 a week (£881 a year) for the second.

A law change is necessary so that schools reporting bad behaviour to HMRC would mean that the child's allowance is automatically cancelled.

The parents would then quickly realise the significant financial penalty and that children need discipline at home and at school.

Clark Cross

Linlithgow.

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Covid-19 is still health threat to many people

Public Health Scotland is encouraging everyone offered a Covid-19 vaccine this spring to come forward, get vaccinated and stay protected - because Covid-19 hasn’t disappeared.

Last summer in Scotland, there were more than 10,000 reported cases of Covid-19 and over 4,000 people hospitalised.

This year’s spring vaccination programme is focused on protecting those most vulnerable to Covid-19.

This includes older adults in care homes, people aged 75 and over, and those with a weakened immune system, as they are at greater risk of illness from Covid-19.

If you’re invited for a COVID-19 vaccination this spring, it’s because experts know that your age or health condition mean you’re at higher risk of becoming seriously ill from Covid-19.

Being vaccinated is the safest and most effective way for older people and those with certain underlying conditions to protect themselves against Covid-19.

You get your strongest protection from the vaccine in the first three months after getting it.

Over time, this protection gradually fades so, even if you had your winter vaccination, it’s important to get another dose this spring to reinforce your immunity and help keep you safe.

Getting vaccinated could mean the difference between a mild illness and a hospital stay.

The spring vaccination programme runs until 30 June. If you’re eligible, you’ll be invited by letter, email or text message, depending on your selected communication preference.

You can reschedule your appointment using the online portal or via the National Vaccination Helpline (0800 030 8013).

Find more information on the spring programme at: www.nhsinform.scot/covid19vaccine

Dr Sam Ghebrehewet

Head of Immunisation and Vaccination

Public Health Scotland

South Gyle Crescent

Edinburgh.

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