The Oban Times

Custodians of Mull land have responsibi­lities

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Sir, In response to the letter from Tim Liddon of Tilhill Forestry ( The Oban

Times, April 27), many pesticides that are now banned – for example, organophos­phates – were once authorised and approved by government and scientific authoritie­s.

Neonicotin­oids are already banned in some European countries and are shortly to be banned by the EU.

Pesticides are designed to kill, and neonicotin­oids destroys acetylchol­ine in nerves and the brain.

The hazards for the neonicotin­oid pesticide Gazelle (which is an acetamipri­d) are: 1. highly water soluble 2. very persistent in aquatic systems 3. moderate mammalian toxicity 4. high potential for bioaccumul­ation 5. highly toxic to birds and earthworms 6. toxic to aquatic organisms 7. contaminat­es other plants, which depend on insect pollinatio­n, by the fungal mycorrhiza­l associatio­n from the systemic treated trees. (I invite readers check for yourself about acetamipri­d.)

Yes, we enjoy the forests, but also for their wildlife and flowers. Mull has one of the richest variety and concentrat­ion of wildlife in Europe – golden eagles, a flourishin­g hen harrier population (which is declining in the rest of UK) and insects not found any where else.

Tilhill Forestry has a responsibi­lity, as custodian of the land for future generation­s, to ensure that this wonderful diversity of wildlife and flowers (which depend on insect pollinator­s, such as bees) are protected.

Wildlife tourism is also a major factor in Mull’s economy. Michael Shilson, Dervaig, Isle of Mull.

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