Madam, – We were disappointed to read your article ‘Fears of ‘beaver fever’ in east Perthshire river’, (Courier, January 30).
We feel the article was misleading.
There were two important points missing. First, although the article included information that giardia has not been found in any beavers in Scotland, it did not include the information that humans, livestock such as sheep and cattle, wild animals like deer and foxes, and pets, are all potential sources.
In fact, research examining the public health risk posed by reintroduced beavers in Scotland concluded the risk of giardia was low to very low.
The risk posed by livestock was high, and that posed by humans and other wildlife was medium to high.
Giardiasis is the real name of the illness your headline refers to as ‘beaver fever’, and it is the most common form of gut parasite infection in the UK and the world. We have sympathy for anyone suffering from giardia, but we want to make it clear that despite extensive testing of beavers in the UK for giardia, there has never been a positive result.
In fact, we are only aware of one study that has ever found giardia in beavers anywhere in Europe – and that was in Poland.
Second, the article raised concerns about the damage which beavers may cause. Beavers have many benefits for nature – creating habitats like ponds and wetlands where other species thrive, as well as alleviating flooding and improving water quality.
But we know it will sometimes be necessary to minimise or prevent beavers’ impacts on farming or other interests.
Over the last 12 months, SNH has worked with the Scottish Government, farmers, conservation bodies and other partners to realise the many benefits that beavers will bring to Scotland, while at the same allowing management of beavers or their impacts when necessary.
Ben Ross.
Scottish Beaver Project manager,
Scottish Natural Heritage.
Right to be concerned
Madam, – The Courier was right to raise the possible health concerns of people who work or walk their dogs along our river banks.
So-called beaver fever (giardia) is a particularly nasty parasite as a friend of mine can testify after becoming seriously ill and being hospitalised after working in the river at Inveralmond.
The European beaver can also be the vector for a tapeworm that has resulted in several hundred fatalities in central Europe. Chile and Argentina are now culling their beaver population after a disastrous introduction from Canada in the 1940s. They have lost thousands of acres of precious Patagonian rainforest to beavers.
I do hope the Scottish Government is in control of the situation.
Michael C Smith.
Threapmuir Farm,
Cleish,
Kinross.
Be careful about taxing tourists
Madam, – What a clever plan this proposed tourist tax is.
This should stop these pesky visitors clogging up our hotels and restaurants and give the locals plenty of time to look at all the closed up shops in their high streets.
Over the last 30 years we have spent numerous holidays on the charming island of Majorca and were fortunate enough to have only had wonderful times spent there.
If we went for our usual two weeks this year it would cost an extra £90 in tourist tax.
We can take a hint, we won’t be going back. I personally don’t go where I am obviously causing problems to the locals.
Bill Duthie.
25 St Fillans Road,
Dundee.
East Neuk rail dissatisfaction
Madam, – Once again the headlines highlight dissatisfaction with ScotRail (Passenger satisfaction sinks, Courier, January 30).
While the victims of train cancellations deserve sympathy, the suspicion remains that the relatively privileged minority able to enjoy rail services are also able to push the message of decline and even crisis via a compliant media.
The same survey shows four out of every five passengers are satisfied, with a similar 80% punctuality record.
There is also considerable investment in the existing network which is likely to yield improvement. Is it a glass half-full attitude?
An estimated 50,000 residents in the Levenmouth-East Neuk catchment have no rail services whatsoever and pay a heavy premium in cost and time in public transport arrangements, having to pay bus then train fares.
Our dissatisfaction levels with public transport, now in our 50th year without rail passenger services, is severe and persistent but little reported.
Stewart McIntosh.
Kirkland Walk,
Methil.
Compromises need to trade
Madam, – John Phimister’s comment (Brussels will call all of the shots, Courier, February 1) raises some important points.
Firstly, that when we export to Europe or indeed any other industrialised nation we have to meet their standards.
As we are currently aligned with European standards it is easy to export, hence the lack of customs checks.
This will no longer be the case (post-Brexit) and will require far more HMRC staff at our borders to maintain the inflow of goods.
So it won’t just be non-European countries calling the trade shots, but them as well.
This has exposed the naivety of some in expecting we can impose trade deals on other nations. Negotiations are always about compromise.
Nick Cole.
Balmacron Farmhouse,
Meigle.
Green tail is wagging the dog
Madam, – It’s a cliché of Scottish politics that Greens co-convener Patrick Harvie is Nicola Sturgeon’s poodle.
But the passing of the Scottish Budget this week again suggests the opposite is the case.
With just six MSPs, the far left Greens drive their own agenda through.
Without their support the SNP couldn’t pass their budget and their government could fall.
It seems the Green tail wags the SNP dog.
Martin Redfern.
Woodcroft Road,
Edinburgh.
Caring attitude of real film stars
Madam, – My friend Agnes and I love our regular outings to the Odeon Cinema in Douglasfield.
The venue is perfect, with good wheelchair access. But on arrival on our latest visit the duty manager, Alex Grieg, greeted us with an apology as the lift was broken.
Agnes and I were so looking forward to seeing Mary Queen of Scots,
But the escalator was out of the question as Agnes is recovering from a heart attack and three strokes and cannot walk unaided.
On seeing our disappointment Alex offered to escort us to the cinema floor through the fire escape corridor and up 40 stairs.
My plucky friend said she’d have a go and Alex, her sister Toni, also a member of staff, my husband and I all encouraged her every step of the way to the top.
We thoroughly enjoyed this very powerful film and on our departure Alex and Toni were waiting to do the reverse journey with us.
They are two young women who are a credit to their job and who made Agnes feel very cared for.
For Agnes this was a great feat and we were thrilled for her.
Vivien Scott.
Broughty Ferry,
Dundee.
