Scotland’s largest eco-festival, held annually in north-east Fife, has had its green credentials called into question after pesticide was used to kill thistles and nettles around its site.
The Big Tent, staged near the historic town of Falkland and heralded as one of Fife’s flagship events, confirmed it had used the weedkiller Grazon, commonly used by farmers, on the plants.
It was also revealed that the mole population has been targeted by a catcher employed to remove the creatures from the festival site for “health and safety” reasons.
The combined action was deemed necessary according to the event organisers, the Falkland Centre of Stewardship, who said it was to protect revellers when they arrive for opening night on July 23.
Billed as a green festival, the Big Tent attracts thousands of people, including families, to its picturesque setting within the Falkland Estate.
With a strong focus on sustainability, the three-day event, now in its fifth year, offers a host of live world music and debate on social and environmental issues.
But the revelations have led to accusations the Big Tent is eco-friendly by name only a view not shared by stewards.
“We are fortunate enough to act as hosts to hundreds of children at the Big Tent and a few months back we were concerned about how some small patches of nettles might impact on our young visitors,” said a spokesman.
“The Home Farm here at Falkland is fully organic but the site of the festival as part of the designed landscape is not currently organic and so after a lengthy internal debate we concluded that the safest way to address the nettle problem was to use a standard systemic spray.
“Happily, this approach has worked and we have been able to plant out many of the affected areas with wild flowers.”
The stewardship group was invited to comment on how much of the weedkiller was used and over what area. However, no comment was given on this.ReputationDespite the explanation, Falkland shopkeeper Bob Beveridge, who reported the incident, believes the festival has harmed its reputation.
“They have made an error in going ahead with killing the nettles,” said Mr Beveridge.
“Nettles play a big role in supporting the conservation of wildlife in the area.
“The butterfly population relies on them for its survival.
“There are some, such as the peacock butterfly, that are travelling northwards from England where their habitat has been destroyed.
“They need nettles to survive.
“For a festival, which says it is eco-friendly, to use weedkiller to kill off plants seems like completely wrong.
“Even if it is only a small drop being used, that does not make a difference.”
He added, “You are either eco-friendly or you’re not.”
The Scottish Environment Protection Agency (SEPA) said it would investigate what impact, if any, the pesticide has had on the local watercourse and said it was not informed of the plans beforehand.
The Big Tent returns on July 23-25.