Today’s letters to The Courier.
Sir, – Reference your article, Tay beavers not protected (September 24) the Scottish Government has been asserting that this is the case to protect the exit strategy of their official trial at Knapdale Forest in Argyll.
An application to reintroduce beavers there in 2005 was turned down by the previous administration because, among other things, ”no provision could be found in either European or UK legislation that would allow the exit strategy to be implemented in a lawful manner”.
This means that, once introduced, they cannot then be removed if they have become established in the wild.
Despite many efforts to clarify the confused legal position, including this latest and very welcome attempt by Murdo Fraser MSP, the Scottish Government continues to duck this issue. The situation is a mess, and they know it.
Almost certainly, we have an irreversible beaver reintroduction in Argyll and this will, by default, give legal protection to the Tay beavers as well as they are living and breeding in the wild in their natural, historic range, only a short distance from the official trial area.
In the short term, there is no need to harm the beavers anyway, as a Tayside Beaver Study Group has been established to provide a point of contact and give management advice on specific situations.
The immediate priority is to try to improve communications and get this working properly so that it can indeed serve a useful purpose.
Farmers and landowners should also be aware that, irrespective of the situation in relation to EU protection, it is an offence to be in possession of a dead animal and any animals secretly culled would deny invaluable genetic and health information to the study group.
We should be able to manage the situation in front of us over the next few years if the study group is working properly.
Victor Clements.Native Woodland Advice,1 Crieff Road,Aberfeldy.
No sale until properly tested
Sir, – Dangerous drugs have claimed yet another victim (”New mum’s tragic death”, The Courier, September 24). When are the authorities going to get to grips with this country’s drugs problem?
So-called legal drugs are sold over the counter or online because the manufacturers have altered the formula of a banned drug just enough to make it legal.
There then ensues a lengthy delay while drug-takers are at risk until that new drug is itself banned.
Since the drug producers are prepared to play ducks and drakes in this way with people’s lives, why do our various and nefarious governments not bring in a new licensing law for drugs ie make it compulsory for all drugs to be licensed?
Any new drug produced would then not be allowed to go on sale anywhere in the country until it had passed government scientists’ tests, been declared safe and given a licence.
This system would be a lot safer and would save many more lives than the present system which allows drugs to be sold before they have been subjected to official testing.
George K. McMillan.5 Mount Tabor Avenue,Perth.
Real reason for the complaints
Sir, – Your edition of September 24 reported the arrival of Revs Francis and Helen Bridger at St Mary’s Episcopal Church in Broughty Ferry under the title ”New chapter as couple to share parish”.
It is indeed a new chapter and parishioners, past and present, wish the new incumbents every success.
It is necessary, however, to correct the reported version of events for the previous chapter.
Complaints made about Rev Dr Bower arose not because of his sexuality but because of his management style and behaviour towards some parishioners.
The Church should not be tarred with the brush of homophobia.
Sally Carus.28 Camphill Road,Broughty Ferry,Dundee.
Not connected with seasons
Sir, – The caption beneath the photograph of St Salvador’s Holy Cross Day procession on September 14 and printed in the Dundee Courier on September 15 states that the occasion ”is said to signify the end of summer and the beginning of autumn”.
In fact, Holy Cross Day, (on which incidentally we also commemorate the dedication of St Salvador’s Church), commemorates the dedication of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem in 335, after the discovery by Saint Helena, the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine, of the True Cross in a tomb nearby in 326.
As an aside, Wikipedia mentions this day as beginning ”monastic winter” under the Rule of St Benedict, but apart from that I cannot find any direct connection with the seasons.
Martin Andrews.Church warden and head server,St Salvador’s Church.
Take it home
Sir, – While I know the majority of dog owners pick up after their pets I want to appeal to the inconsiderate few.
I do not have a sign at my back garden saying ”dog toilet”, nor a sign in the hedge saying ”dog waste bin”.
Looking on the bright side, maybe one lucky dark night the minority will drag the mess home on to their own nice carpets.
Peter Moran.26 Rose Crescent,Perth.
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.