Barra’s battle has implications for all

Lesley Riddoch’s article on Barra’s fight against the establishment of a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) effectively highlights the broader issues at stake in this apparently local issue (Perspective, 6 February).

The underlying question is whether communities around Scotland, in cities as well as rural areas, should be proactive participants in determining their own future, or “micromanaged from on high” by arrogant, power-seeking and often ill- informed quangos like Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).

This is not a party political issue – the first attempt to impose a SAC around Barra was made in 2002 by a Labour government. Now, the second attempt is being made by an SNP government. Rather the attempts to impose an SAC on the people of Barra, Vatersay, Eriskay and South Uist raises a question about what kind of government we want – one that listens to people or one that dictates to them?

I think it is for this reason that Conservative MSP Jamie McGrigor’s motion to oppose the SAC, which will be heard in parliament on Wednesday, obtained support from Lib Dem leader Willie Rennie MSP, and why Labour MSP Rhoda Grant is introducing her own motion opposing the SAC.

And surely it is this broader issue which attracted independent MSP Margo MacDonald, the people’s champion if there ever was one, to support Jamie’s motion.

Margo knows that the underlying issue at stake here is just as important to her Edinburgh constituents as it is to the people of the Southern Hebrides.

Rory Macneil of Barra

Ettrick Road

Edinburgh

The entire community of the Island of Barra is justifiably furious at the attempt by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to once again impose a Special Area of Conservation (SAC) on the Sound of Barra.

In November 2000 SNH held meetings on the island with the sole purpose of persuading those present that a Marine SAC was vital to protect the seals which, it claimed, were declining in numbers. The local fishermen totally rejected this argument and made very clear their objections to the proposed SAC.

I understand the poor seals are no longer important, with sandbanks and reefs being the new “flavour of the month”.

In 2001 a scientific objection prepared by Ian Mitchell, on behalf of the Western Isles Fishermen’s Association, was presented to the Petitions Committee of the Scottish Executive and my understanding is that it is still languishing in Brussels.

SNH submitted an erroneous report to the Petitions Committee stating that the Barra fishermen, at the aforementioned meeting, had indicated their acceptance of the requirement for the designation. This was completely untrue, as the minutes of the meeting made clear.

The fishermen were angry at being misrepresented and it would appear that SNH continues to manipulate circumstances for its own ends.

There is grave concern that such an imposition would have serious consequences for our fishermen, the local fish factory and planning applications etc. Members of the Barra community is issuing a clear warning that they will fight this imposition with everything in their power, and history has shown they can be resourceful and very powerful.

Marybell Galbraith

Ardmhor

Isle of Barra