MOST times when I read Agenda I find there are facts to learn even when the writer is promoting a cause with which I disagree. However Yvonne Taylor's writings on grouse shooting is so inaccurate that I must assume the misinformation is intentional rather than just a display of ignorance (“No glory in cruel, environmentally destructive and shameful tradition”, The Herald, August 12).
Ms Taylor obviously fails to understand that the shooting of grouse is in effect the farming of a surplus which is very carefully monitored to ensure that a healthy breeding stock remains on the moor for the following year. Gamekeepers spend a vast amount of time culling vermin which predate on grouse and all the other ground nesting species. Without their efforts our moors would be deserted lifeless areas probably blanketed in sterile Sitka spruce forests. She makes no attempt to graphically describe the eggs and chicks being eaten by vermin.
With regard to muirburn, the correct term for heather burning, Ms Taylor fails to understand that the controlled burning ensures that only the surface is burned in small areas and therefore minimal heat is transferred into the peat below and therefore very little CO2 is released. Muirburn also provides fresh shoots and increased insect life for all the species which live on a moor.
Perhaps Ms Taylor is ignorant of the fact that countries are now removing the ban on lead shot because there is no research to prove that lead is in any way injurious to either humans or wildlife when it is present on the ground. This campaign was invented by animal rights activists to try to use unsubstantiated opinions to attack shooting sports. I assume it is also in ignorance that she omits to mention that illegal killing of raptors has been dropping markedly and efforts to eradicate such crime is proving very successful. She cites the RSPB as an authoritative source and yet this is the same organisation which has been reprimanded for quoting unpublished research and when challenged to produce the research was unable to do so.
However, probably the most pathetic part of the column is Ms Taylor's use of anthropomorphic adjectives to insult our intelligence. The fluffy bunny brigade are obviously alive and well and working for Peta.
David Stubley,
22 Templeton Crescent, Prestwick.
Why are you making commenting on The Herald only available to subscribers?
It should have been a safe space for informed debate, somewhere for readers to discuss issues around the biggest stories of the day, but all too often the below the line comments on most websites have become bogged down by off-topic discussions and abuse.
heraldscotland.com is tackling this problem by allowing only subscribers to comment.
We are doing this to improve the experience for our loyal readers and we believe it will reduce the ability of trolls and troublemakers, who occasionally find their way onto our site, to abuse our journalists and readers. We also hope it will help the comments section fulfil its promise as a part of Scotland's conversation with itself.
We are lucky at The Herald. We are read by an informed, educated readership who can add their knowledge and insights to our stories.
That is invaluable.
We are making the subscriber-only change to support our valued readers, who tell us they don't want the site cluttered up with irrelevant comments, untruths and abuse.
In the past, the journalist’s job was to collect and distribute information to the audience. Technology means that readers can shape a discussion. We look forward to hearing from you on heraldscotland.com
Comments & Moderation
Readers’ comments: You are personally liable for the content of any comments you upload to this website, so please act responsibly. We do not pre-moderate or monitor readers’ comments appearing on our websites, but we do post-moderate in response to complaints we receive or otherwise when a potential problem comes to our attention. You can make a complaint by using the ‘report this post’ link . We may then apply our discretion under the user terms to amend or delete comments.
Post moderation is undertaken full-time 9am-6pm on weekdays, and on a part-time basis outwith those hours.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel