Letters

We absolutely agree with Christopher Shaw’s letter (9 July) regarding the appalling damaged caused to hedgerows and verges by wind farm developers during road-widening operations to accommodate the transportation of wind turbines in the middle of the bird breeding season. It is about as far removed from saving the planet and enhancing wildlife as could possibly be imagined.

Monica Lennon MSP seeks to impose harsh penalties for causing irreversible environmental damage, including up to 20 years in prison, through her proposed Ecocide (Prevention) (Scotland) Bill. It seems to us that this particular act of wanton destruction would fall fair and square within the definition for prosecution, yet nowhere does the Bill mention renewable energy developments.

We suspect and fear that the defence of “necessity” will be rolled out to get renewables developers off the hook.

Failing that, if any were ever successfully prosecuted for Ecocide should the bill become law, it is likely the Scottish Government will move sharpish to pass amending regulations that would let renewables developers off the hook –

section 11 of the bill provides: “The Scottish Ministers may by regulations make any incidental, supplementary, consequential, transitional, transitory or savings provision they consider appropriate for the purposes of, in connection with or for giving full effect to this Act.”

Quelle surprise!

Aileen Jackson

Scotland Against Spin

Uplawmoor, East

Renfrewshire