environmental NGOs are not at odds with the whisky industry ("Falling out of flavour", The Herald, June 24).

Messages on peat from the environmental organisations and the Scottish Whisky Association are in line with each other, and these interests are in a regular dialogue.

A ban on commercial peat extraction for use in horticulture, on which Environment Link's chairwoman Deborah Long commented, will create a strong incentive for beneficial change. The use of peat by the horticulture industry is non-essential, it targets and destroys important lowland raised bogs, and there are a number of alternatives to peat to which the industry can turn. A ban will encourage a faster shift to these alternatives.

By contrast, the whisky industry makes a relatively small, specialised use and works to ensure best standards to avoid environmental harm by carefully sourcing peat from sustainable sites. This is not perceived by environmental organisations as presenting a problem. Indeed, the bigger picture is of the whisky industry working with the environmental sector to help restore damaged peatlands, which are important as excellent water sources.

Helen Todd,

Vice-chairwoman, Scottish Environment LINK, 2 Grosvenor House, Shore Road, Perth.