Readers’ Letters: Brexit threatening Scotland's environment

I have just read that UK Environment Minister George Eustace has given permission for limited use of a class of systemic pesticides known as neonicotinoids, which are banned in the EU and many countries. They are not prohibited in the US.

Demonstrators call for a full ban on bee-killing pesticides

In recent years, there has been a significant decrease in the bee population and it is believed that this is directly related to the use of neonicotinoids and “colony collapse disaster” – when the majority of worker bees in a colony disappear. This directly affects pollination and crop production and was the principal reason for the ban in the EU.

However, neonicotinoid use has further-reaching and detrimental effects on the environment, the ecosystem and human health. Neonicotinoids not only move from treated seeds and plants to pollinators such as bees, they are transmitted through simple food chains and possibly into entire food webs. They have become widespread environmental contaminants which pose a real risk to biodiversity.

In 2014, the European Food Safety Commission found that neonicotinoids are also harmful to humans. They affect the normal development and function of the nervous system in children and they can damage brain structures and functions associated with learning and memory. Although there are “acceptable” levels for residues in foods, there have been calls for these to be further reduced. Those most at risk are agricultural workers and those who live in close proximity to agricultural areas, who endure a higher exposure.

Within two weeks of leaving the EU we are apparently dropping our environmental standards.

Living in rural Dumfries and Galloway we have to be very wary that both our environmental and agricultural standards remain as high as they can be. We owe this to ourselves and our families.

The environment is a devolved responsibility in Scotland and you might assume, therefore, that we can stop the use of chemicals which are toxic to vital parts of our ecosystem. Sadly, as from last December, the Internal Market Act became law, allowing Westminster to override the powers of the Scottish Parliament.

If the ultimate power to defend the high quality of our Scottish agricultural produce and protect our environment lies outside Scotland, how long will it be before the commercial pressures of a US trade deal forces the UK government to abandon environmental protection? In this case, we in Dumfries and Galloway and the rest of Scotland will be totally powerless.

Jennifer Rhind, Haywood Road, Moffat, Dumfries & Galloway

Sky fears

I travel frequently to Malta, which entails regular flights with Ryanair who monopolise that route from Edinburgh Airport. Normally it is a positive that Ryanair fly safe, modern jets and I had looked forward to renewing my acquaintance; but a problem is looming when the lockdown ends. Recently there have been two terrible crashes with the Boeing 737 Max, with the loss of 346 lives in Ethiopia and Indonesia. Yet, remarkably, we are told that it has been given approval from the EASA to fly in Europe from this week.

Not only has a former Senior Manager at Boeing's plant at Seattle, Ed Pierson, who was a key witness at the Congressional Hearings; raised safety concerns citing the dysfunctional plant, but his concerns are echoed by none other than Captain "Sully" Sullenberger of the Hudson River crash. Both say that the Mast Cell Activation Syndrome system involved has an unrectified sensor defect which forces the nose of the aircraft downwards. Redesigning the software is not sufficient. As recently as Christmas, one flown by Air Canada had an emergency landing as a similar defect showed up again.

Ryanair ordered a further 75 Boeing 737 Max aircraft recently, bringing the total to 210. Even in lockdown, one can fly to around 24 countries with Ryanair from Edinburgh. Are we being asked to play Russian roulette?

John V Lloyd, Keith Place, Inverkeithing, Fife

Incomparable

Mary Thomas (Letters, January 27) says "the comparable figures for infection and mortality rates show that the SNP has done very much better than the UK government”. In the first place the figures are not comparable. Infection spread depends purely on direct or via common surface contact. The former, of course, is directly dependent on population density for the area under discussion. England has six times the population density of Scotland so the relatively small increase in infection rate over that of Scotland must surely reflect much better control by government, and individual compliance with preventative measures.

A vaccination programme works in reverse – a high population density must aid distribution and treatment so it is not surprising that England is well ahead in this area. What we really need, of course, is to stop this silly politicking over a human tragedy and just hope that the vaccination progress will continue unabated and that we can then spare some effort to assist less fortunate countries – after all, their safety is our safety.

(Dr) A McCormick, Kirkland Road, Terregles, Dumfries

Misleading

Why is the UK’s Covid death toll so bad? Because the statistics used by the government are inaccurate!

The death of anyone who has died within 28 days of testing positive for Covid-19 is counted as a “Covid-19” death – even if that person died from a heart-attack, stroke, cancer, or whatever. The resulting “Covid” death totals are therefore greatly inflated, incorrect and false!

Counting genuine “Covid” deaths would, in my belief, significantly reduce the UK total.

J Moir, Duthie Court, Aberdeen

Blame visitors

Do correspondents attacking the Scottish Government not understand the facts about the pandemic in Scotland?Thanks to our Scottish Government infection levels were driven down to a level that was considered by the World Health Organisation to be heading for the elimination of the virus here by July/August 2020. The holiday invasion that took place in Scotland was unbelievable, with the resultant dramatic increase in cases from September onwards. It has been recorded that about 50 per cent of the virus arrived here from the rest of the UK. So since September we have had a real battle, but once again, thank goodness, there are hopeful signs.As far as the vaccination rollout is concerned, it has been well documented that care home residents were to be top of the list. We are lucky that we have a First Minister who has concentrated on the Pandemic and we should give credit where credit is due.

Peter D Cheyne, Barbaraville, Ross-shire

Busy with buses

Your picture of Jenners in Edinburgh’s Princes Street at night time (January 26) demonstrates perfectly one of the reasons for the demise of Princes Street as a desirable destination. Princes Street has undoubtedly one of the most stunning and spectacular cityscapes anywhere in the world. It is a pity, then, that pedestrians only have a view of two lanes in each direction, solid with buses a far as the eye can see. Why must every bus route in Edinburgh run along Princes Street?

Alastair Hibbert, Katrine Drive, Crossford

Happy days

Reading of the imminent closure of Jenners has stirred very happy memories for me. As a small child, living on a farm, one of our big excitements was the large, brown paper parcel, tied up with string, which brought our new clothes (it must have been the forerunner of online shopping). Each season, on approval, my mother helped us try on coats, dresses, jumpers, skirts etc., as we chose which we would keep, before she rewrapped what wasn't needed, ready to return to Jenners.

At Christmas we would visit Jenners Bazaar, where we were greeted by Santa Claus and given a present from his sack. The anticipation on the journey, huddled under travelling rugs in the back of the car, before car heating, was palpable, and the return journey in the dark of December felt as far then as a flight to America does now!

My third recollection, shared with many, I am sure, is of the loos, which to this day are hard to find. Over the years, because of my three little brothers, they were a necessary first port of call, each time we went to Edinburgh.

I am pleased, in these uncertain times, to read that the new owner and developer plans to retain the name of Jenners.

Olive Bell, Randolph Crescent, Dunbar

E-cars pollute

Philip Williams (Letters, January 27) may feel that his electric car is non-polluting but the electricity to charge it has to be generated and the battery materials mined from various countries before all the components are constructed and assembled. The carbon cost of making a new electric car is very considerable and higher than a traditional car. Non-exhaust particulates still apply and are actually worse for tyre wear and road surface micro particles due to the heavier electric car.The government's Air Quality Expert Group has said that exhaust particles are already lower than the non-exhaust particle emissions that, of course, continue for all types of vehicle. No vehicle is without particle emissions.

Vaughan Hammond, Braco, Perthshire

To be Frank

How about Frank Lampard for new Celtic manager? I would love to see Steven Gerrard and Lampard pit their wits against each other in the Scottish premiership when Rangers meet Celtic. We are certainly needing something to kick start Scottish football and give it a buzz. To have two of the finest football players in the English set-up plying their trade in Scotland would be healthy for Scottish football.

Margaret Wallace, Broomfield Avenue, Cumnock

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