Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – In his letter ‘Green Luddites preventing us benefiting’ (October 11), Clark Cross accuses Friends of the Earth of scaremongering about fracking.
The full environmental effects of fracking and coal bed methane extraction are not yet fully understood.
However, evidence from the USA and Australia where the industry is more advanced indicate intrinsic risks to the environment and health. Closer to home, fracking is known to be the cause of recent earth tremors in Lancashire.
It is extremely irresponsible to press ahead with unconventional gas extraction techniques before we fully understand the consequences for communities and the environment.
That is why Friends of the Earth Scotland are calling on the government to undertake a thorough review of these impacts and assess the public acceptability of this industry before it is allowed to advance.
Nor do we need to go down this risky route, when Scotland benefits from such a rich and abundant array of renewable energy resources.
Mary Church.Friends of The Earth,Thorn House,5 Rose Street,Edinburgh.
Farmers need EU answers
Sir, – In Richard Wright’s article (October 15), he demonstrates (again) that our farmers need to know, in advance, whether an independent Scotland would be automatically an EU member or whether membership application followed by a period of limbo for parliamentary debate and voting etc, no doubt a lengthy process will be required.
Presumably, CAP payments would stop immediately on the first day of independence.
Does the SNP have alternative plans for subsidising our farmers from that day or will they have to adopt the policy of New Zealand (and other countries) of self-sufficiency?
A. T. Geddie.68 Carleton Ave,Glenrothes.
Smoke, mirrors and politicians
Sir, – What grandiose words in your leader header (October 15) to describe a pantomine of politicians as they lead the British electorate by the nose in a travesty of manipulated democracy.
”Historic day for Scotland’s future” indeed; more like a day we should go into mourning for our lack of collective common sense, as we play follow the leader in what is likely to be the political smoke and mirrors trick of the century.
The record reveals the SNP offers no more political transparency and listening ability than we already have.
Self-serving and self-seeking Scottish politicians put themselves up to replace self-serving and self-seeking British politicians when what we really need is to make them all toe the democratic line.
Why all this futile, irresponsible, unknown and unfunded, expensive nonsense? We voted…or did we?
Andrew Lawson.9 MacLaren Gardens,Dundee.
What Tay do about V&A?
Sir, – So the original plan for the new V&A has been ditched and the whole project looks likely to move further inland.
Surely, then, the partnership groups should realise that this design was voted for by the people of Dundee based partially on its proposed prominent position out on the Tay; a location I remember being lauded by the designer as possibly as iconic as the Sydney Opera House, due to its visibility to visitors approaching Dundee by road, rail, sea and air.
What now, then, that it is no longer going to be so?
Will they stick with the same design in a different location or should the other bidders be invited back in to play?
Peter Henry.4 Law Road,Dundee.
Wind power key to future
Sir, – I am writing to take issue with two bold and unsupported assertions in Jim Crumley’s column on wind power.
Firstly, not all who ”use our landscape hate windfarms”. I know of many hillwalkers and climbers who support wind and other renewables; there are many of us who work in the industry who are mountaineers.
Findings from a YouGov poll carried out this year suggested 71% of Scots support the continued development of wind power.
Secondly, it is extremely rare for windfarms to kill birds, which is why RSPB supports the growth of wind power. The planning system ensures developments are sited in the right place and any impacts on wildlife are managed.
There are two major threats to the countryside that wind power, and other renewables, are key to tackling: climate change and an absence of highly-skilled and well paid employment opportunities.
Wind power is a key part of the answer to both displacing massive amounts of carbon emissions while bringing in jobs and investment to economies across rural Scotland.
Niall Stuart.Chief Executive,Scottish Renewables,45 Gordon Street,Glasgow.
Being royally inconvenienced
Sir, – I don’t know who was responsible for the traffic arrangements for Princess Anne’s visit to Forfar but the half-mile of stationary traffic for the 30 seconds it would take her car to travel along East High Street was completely over the top.
John Crichton.Northampton Place,Forfar.
Get involved: to have your say on these or any other topics, email your letter to letters@thecourier.co.uk or send to Letters Editor, The Courier, 80 Kingsway East, Dundee DD4 8SL. Letters should be accompanied by an address and a daytime telephone number.