YOUR VIEWS: Safe disposal is a real pest for most
There is a laudable campaign to stop councils from using herbicides and pesticides. If successful, it will benefit all the pollinators that are struggling to thrive.
To our benefit too; no pollinators equals no food.
A consequence of this ban will be stocks of chemicals when we have nowhere to dispose of them responsibly. I moved to gardening organically many years ago.
I'm sure I'm not alone in having old herbicides and pesticides in the garden shed. Highland Council, Moray, Perth and Kinross won't take them. SEPA have a procedure for producers of hazardous waste but refer domestic users to their local council.
It's clearly irresponsible to pour them out and contaminate water sources or the ground.
Who is going to tackle this issue of safe disposal?
Jo Cumming
Glentruim.
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Much greater wildfire risk in Scotland without muirburn
Gordon Bulloch claims there is little evidence areas are more susceptible to wildfires where fuel loads have been allowed to accumulate than areas where fuel loads have been reduced by controlled burning and/or herbivore grazing (Strathy Letters, April 24).
Controlled burning, including muirburn, reduces fuel loads of dead and rank vegetation which reduces the intensity and potentially the extent of wildfires when they occur.
The article he refers to by Nick Kempe quotes research by the James Hutton Institute that concluded “96% of the total wildfire area occurred outside moorlands managed by muirburn, with wildfires covering 1.1% of total moorland area”.
The number of incidents of fires is different from the intensity and extent of wildfires.
Evidence from Scotland, in the UK and elsewhere in the world indicates the management of fuel loads of dead and rank vegetation by controlled burning reduces the intensity and extent of wildfires when they occur.
The examples I quoted of the 2019 wildfires on immature woodland in Moray and the wildfire near Forsinard were the largest wildfires ever recorded in Scotland at the time.
In May 2023 the wildfire near Cannich extended over a larger area than the fire near Forsinard in 2019.
These wildfires were on land where there was no controlled burning and few or no herbivores to manage the vegetation.
In Britain, management of moorland by controlled burning along with grazing by herbivores has helped reduce the build up of rank, dead and dry vegetation that contributes to the intensity and extent of wildfires when they occur.
A reduction of herbivores and controlled burning combined with hotter drier summers will increase the intensity and extent of wildfires.
If controlled burning is carried out correctly, the fire should only consume the overlying vegetation in contained areas, contributing to the biodiversity of the habitat.
It should not burn down into the underlying moss or peat. Gordon Bulloch claims heather moorland is only the natural climax vegetation above the natural treeline.
The largest extent of tree cover was around 50% of Scotland’s land area approximately 8,000 years ago. By 1350 only around 4% of Scotland’s land area was covered in trees.
The decline in tree cover was primarily due to climatic changes. An analysis of charcoal found in the prehistoric village of Skara Brae on Orkney found that prior to 4,400 years ago the predominant species of trees used in their fires were native species.
In their more recent fires, the predominant tree species used were from North America.
This was because the inhabitants were relying on driftwood as the trees were disappearing.
By 1905 only 4.5% of Scotland’s land area was covered in trees.
Today it is around 19%.
Jamie Williamson
Alvie Estate Office
Kincraig.
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Remember the words of Madam Ecosse
Is it good that several respected newspapers have encouraged Fergus Ewing to stand as an independent MSP at next year's Holyrood election, or is it just another unionist ploy to further weaken a troubled SNP and the independence campaign?
My friend Fergus is an energetic, honest and forthright politician and just maybe the inevitable vicissitudes of life have misplaced his mother’s (the late glorious Madam Ecosse) memorable statement:- “Stop the world. Scotland wants to get on.”
Grant Frazer
Cruachan
Newtonmore.
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Here with my thoughts
Your Thought for the Week section is promoting a rapidly declining,violence inspiring, homophobic religion.
Not only are you promoting this religion by letting it have a section,you are not giving your readership a balanced view by giving space to other religions such as Pastafarian,a far more peaceful religion with the kill count of zero.
If there is a christian section there should be at least an atheist section or it should not be there at all.
Finn Elstone
Email address supplied.
Editor’s note: We are happy as ever to consider any regular contributions for the Thought for the Week feature and they do not have to be religious. If you are interested then contact us at editorial@sbherald.co.uk
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It’s time to stand up for whisky and our salmon
As Scottish whisky and salmon exporters face the looming threat of significant tariffs due to unpredictable international trade negotiations, we must consider the implications for our local economy.
These iconic industries not only showcase our rich heritage but also provide essential jobs and livelihoods across Scotland.
The recent news highlighting these concerns serves as a wake-up call.
With markets as volatile as ever, our exporters need certainty and support to navigate these challenges effectively.
The vibrancy of our local communities depends on the success of these sectors.
As Benjamin Disraeli once noted: “The greatest good you can do for another is not just to share your riches but to reveal to him his own”.
We must champion policies that enhance the competitiveness of our exports rather than hinder them with excessive tariffs.
Striving to protect our global market position is not only beneficial for our economy but pivotal for ensuring the future of our local businesses.
Let us work together towards a solution that reassures our exporters and reinforces Scotland's standing on the world stage.
We cannot afford to lose sight of what makes our economy thrive.
Alastair Majury
Dunblane.
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Put cats and dogs onto an equal footing in UK
We are hoping for Strathy readers’ support with our quest to lobby the Government. Our aim is to highlight the inequality between cats and dogs in the eyes of the law, specifically when it comes to road traffic accidents.
The Road Traffic Act states drivers must stop and report incidents to the police when they have sadly hit a dog when driving. We would like to see similar protections in place for cats, along with the owners of Britain's 12.5 million cats.
You may have seen the numerous Government petitions on this issue over the last few years. It's even been debated three times in the last five years. Words from officials are always warm and supportive but we say enough talk and fancy words now, we want real action.
It just can't be right that in this day and age drivers can legally hit a cat and leave them scared, alone, in pain, or worse, roadside.
And since we successfully brought in the mandatory microchipping of cats through the successful Cats Bill in the last Parliament, there is now no excuse that cats won't be identifiable once reported so owners can either collect cats from local vets and fund for any care needed, or collect their cats remains should the worst sadly happen.
We are simply asking a bit of decency is legislated for.
That is all.
In 2019 we successfully worked with the then Shadow Secretary for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs Sue Hayman to get it included in the previous Manifesto (see sec 13), and we want Sir Keir to continue work already done in this area so we speak to him and his team direct - the cat owners of the UK want change.
Carlie Power, Mandy Hobbis and Tia Ivy,
Cats Matter
Stourbridge.
