Sir, Contrary to your article in Friday’s Courier, in which fears were expressed that Angus beavers could become a “second mink menace”, the beavers (unlike mink) are of the species native to Scotland.
They existed here from 10,000 years ago until about 400 years ago when they were hunted out for their pelts and other products.
This population is descended from escapes dating back over 12 years.
Like all wild animals they need some management, but fortunately this is now taking place.
Contrary to your informant’s beliefs, beavers a keystone species benefit all wetland species, including fish such as salmon and wading birds such as curlew.
The broad benefits beavers both bring to biodiversity and the economy (in ecosystem services such as flood and drought mitigation and filtration of pollutants) makes the small cost of any mitigation well worthwhile.
Louise Ramsay. Scottish Wild Beaver Group.
They need to be controlled
Sir, Economies all over the world are adversely affected by the activities of stock exchange manipulation at the behest of speculators who make personal fortunes on paper and contribute nothing to the real economy which provides jobs and creates the growth essential to maintain living standards.
Since 1984 the “Footsie 100” as it is affectionately known has experienced no fewer than five crashes of more than 25%.
The various commentators who earn their living by posing as financial experts would have us believe that the rise and fall in the share value index is a natural phenomenon which just happens from time to time due to company trading difficulties and convince themselves that we all still believe in fairies.
The speculators are content to let the share value index rise until the shares they picked up at bargain prices at the previous downturn have increased sufficiently in value to sell.
Money speculators are no better than those who are dubbed shirkers in the current economic climate and indeed have a more detrimental impact on the society in which they live because their misleading representation of company performance can lead to loss of confidence and subsequently jobs in an otherwise healthy company which has had a temporary setback in as little as one quarter’s trading results.
They are arguably on a par with the bankers who are defended in some quarters as risk takers and receive bonuses both for failure as well as success in activities which generate paper profits and contribute nothing to the real economy.
If we seriously wish to create a better world by eliminating poverty etc, it will never happen unless we find a way to effectively control the activities of both the bankers and the speculators. The city of London would be a good place to start.
Allan MacDougall. 37 Forth Park, Bridge of Allan.
Hasn’t learned from history
Sir, Obviously history was not one of David Cameron’s strong points or maybe he doesn’t want to learn by the mistakes made by another Conservative Prime Minister.
After the poll tax fiasco his party never recovered in Scotland. If not for proportional representation, Ruth Davidson would not be in Holyrood. Exactly where does he think the bedroom tax will place his party faithful at the next Scottish elections?
Throwing people out on the street is no way to win friends and that is exactly what will happen when a good many won’t be able to pay. Scotland must make an historic decision in the next two years and it seems to me Mr Cameron has made a monumental error if he thinks this vile tax will have no effect north of the border.
Bill Duthie. 25 St Fillans Road, Dundee.
Sentence was the right one
Sir, Helen Brown in her comments on the Chris Huhne and Vicky Pryce scandal (March 15) said that looking at the consequences of breaking the law “doesn’t half make you want to rush in the direction of righteousness”. Quite so.
She also wrote that the court sent the pair to prison “pour encourager les autres”. Again I agree. Later, however, Helen said: “I can’t see the point of sticking them in jail”. Pour encourager les autres is precisely the point!
Mostly law-abiding citizens with reputations to maintain react in exactly the same way as Helen to the threat of retribution.
I have driven safely and according to road conditions, never injuring either myself or anybody else, for more than half a century, but, until the arrival of speed cameras, I had a rather free and easy attitude to speed limits.
I did not adhere strictly to the limits all the time and did not keep a constant eye on the speedometer, then I was caught twice in quick succession on camera and, with six points on my licence, was in danger of losing it. Since then, I have kept strictly to the speed limits, never exceeding it.
For me, points on my licence were enough to stop my infringing the law, but, for our less law-abiding fraternity, our police, our courts and our authorities have to be efficient, consistent, firm and, where necessary, severe.
Except for very minor offences, prison is the appropriate sentence, especially for repeat offenders and any breach of bail, but the sentencing must be consistent and all this nonsense of automatic early release should cease.
There is nothing like the certainty of being caught and the sure and certain outcome of appropriate punishment to make possible offenders sit up, take notice and obey the law!
George K McMillan 5, Mount Tabor Avenue, Perth.