This morning’s letters to The Courier discuss ecological balance, the situation in Egypt, the effort to secure the future of RAF Leuchars, praise for the heath service, a threatened Perth fishery, and a cycling conundrum.
Cull grey seals to restore nature’s balance
Sir,-At no time have I ever said that predators will destroy the planet the only creature capable of doing serious damage to the planet as we know it is the human. What I was highlighting in my letter was man’s ability to upset the ecological balance by protecting top-level predators.
The planet existed quite happily for a long time prior to the arrival of homo sapiens and will continue to do so after our demise. By protecting such creatures as grey seals in the North Sea, we are putting stress on other species.
Grey seals evolved to breed on offshore areas free of terrestrial predators. Had they bred on inhabited sites, their young would have, in historic times, have been eaten by bears or wolves all creatures which we hunted to extinction.
If not killed by these predators, our forebears would have had oil for lamps and a new dress for the wife. So it is clear that the grey seal has no natural place in the ecology of the North Sea.
The seal protection act of 1914 was not based on scientific fact, as some would have us believe. It was based on the misconception that only a few hundred of these predators were left.
Where this figure came from nobody knows. Two of our greatest naturalists, Frank Fraser Darling and J. Morton Boyd, searched in vain for this scientific evidence without success. The result is that the North Sea is home to tens of thousands of a non-indigenous predator, doing incalculable damage.
This is only one example of human interference causing disruption to the natural order.
Grey seals are to the North Sea what hedgehogs are to the Western Isles and should be treated in a similar manner.
Eric McVicar.Strontian,Argyll.
Shadows over Egypt
Sir,-The West’s Arabian opposition to Muslim fundamentalism and insistence on representative government is almost as incoherent as its 1960s African policy.
There are long memories in Washington of the calamity that befell Iran and many have wondered across the years whether the Shah should have had more robust support.
Egypt’s Mubarak has been a trusted partner for Israel and the West, running a balanced and stable government, containing terror threats and acting as a lynchpin of regional peace.
Obama has always feared ending up as Jimmy Carter Mk II and certainly, with few good options and many bad ones, he could easily be the president who lost Egypt.
Hysterical rejoicing from Hamas indicates they know Mohammed ElBaradei is simply not credible and blocking the Islamic Brotherhood is going to be a neat trick.
(Dr) John Cameron.10 Howard Place,St Andrews.
Get behind RAF Leuchars
Sir,-It was disappointing to read David Clegg’s criticism of Liberal Democrat politicians’ efforts to save RAF Leuchars in Saturday’s Political Diary.
Everyone knows that defence ministers have to take decisions regardless of which political party they belong to. It is the job of local MPs and MSPs to put the strongest possible case to the ministers for the area they represent.
By choosing to attack Sir Menzies Campbell MP and Iain Smith MSP, you undermine the case for RAF Leuchars.
Our two parliamentarians are working hard with the local community to put the best possible case forward.
The community, politicians and media are all working together in Lossiemouth. We need to do the same in Fife.
Carroll J. Finnie.Save RAF Leuchars Community Forum Group.
Service to be proud of
Sir,-We repeatedly read about the shortcomings of the NHS. On Friday past a medical condition occurred in the household and I decided I had to do something before the weekend.
I phoned Westgate Medical Centre about 4pm and discussed the problem, whereupon I was advised that the doctor would send a prescription to our regular chemist, McPherson’s in Gray Street, Broughty Ferry, so that I could collect it before closing time.
About 15 minutes later, the telephone rang and this was the shop advising me that the prescription had been received and offering to deliver it to my home. I accepted the offer and shortly thereafter the medicine was in my hands and, in fact, had been received in just under an hour from when I first spoke to the doctor.
R. J. Knowles.8 Albany Road,West Ferry,Dundee.
Value of Perth fishery
Sir,-It was with complete disbelief I read of the threat to the unusual and delightful fishery at Willowgate, near Perth.
The council claim that the facility does not have the right paperwork. If it is proved that change-of-use permission has not been sought, surely it would be better to keep this unique facility than see it degenerate into an abandoned and overgrown eyesore?
(Mrs) Margaret Cheshire.45 Paradise Avenue,Bridge of Earn.
Cycling conundrum
Sir,-My wife and I are old but still cycle hundreds of miles every year. We mainly use dedicated cycle paths and quiet country lanes.
Occasionally we cycle on the pavement. For example, we use the road between Claypotts junction and Fairfield Road, Broughty Ferry, because cycling on that stretch of road is suicidal.
We stop if pedestrians approach. We think in doing so we are being responsible but also know that it is illegal. So, are we right to behave responsibly, illegally and safely or behave legally and risk death?
Ian Kirkland.69 Dawson Road,Broughty Ferry.
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.