Scotland/Alba - MoD under fire over Cape Wrath damage

The Celtic League have once again pressed the MOD to curtail its activities
at the Cape Wrath exercise area in Northern Scotland. Serious damage
was caused to the area this month after a series of heath fires were
started by trace ammunition fired during exercise.

In a letter to Defence Minister, Des Browne, (see below) the League
say:

"It beggars belief that exercises of this type were held at a time
critical to the breeding programme of several important bird life
species. It is equally concerning that trace ammunition was used given
the weather conditions and the propensity of the heathland in such
circumstances to ignite."

The League believe the latest damage contradicts assurances given
by the MOD in the past to manage and preserve the environment of the
area.

Paradoxically the Celtic League had expressed a concern in April about
exercises scheduled for this spring.


"Secretary of State for Defence
The Rt Hon. Des Browne, MP
Ministry of Defence
Main Building
Whitehall
London SW1A 2HB.

31/5/08

Dear Minister,

We wrote to the Defence Ministry in August 2004 questioning the continued
use of the Cape Wrath exercise area in Northern Scotland and highlighting
the potential ecological and environmental damage that was being caused.

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1505

In October 2004 we had a response and reassurance from CINCFLEET in
relation to this activity.

We welcomed subsequent assurances given particularly in relation to
conservation and protection of wildlife however were concerned when
further information was subsequently forwarded with the veracity of
some of the information MOD had supplied. (Pointedly we have no record
on file of a response from the MOD after we took the time and retained
a specialist ornithologist to look at their work).

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1632

The League have continued to monitor this situation closely and were
extremely concerned when a major and lengthy series of exercises were
announced in the area this spring.

From reports we have seen it appears our concerns were well justified
as it appears a significant area of heathland in the Cape Wrath area
(several square miles) has been destroyed due to fires started by
trace ammunition.

It beggars belief that exercises of this type were held at a time
critical to the breeding programme of several important bird life
species. It is equally concerning that trace ammunition was used given
the weather conditions and the propensity of the heathland in such
circumstances to ignite. The whole episode calls into question the
MODs stewardship of this important area for wild life and we once
again urge you to review and curtail activities on the Cape Wrath
ranges.

We would also be grateful if the MOD could supply an environmental
impact assessment of the damage caused in the recent heath fires.

Yours faithfully,

J B Moffatt
Director of Information"

Related articles on Celtic News at:

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2580
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/2018
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1632
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1584
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1521
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/1505
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/874
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/845
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/834
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/790
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/768
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/717
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/message/659

J B Moffatt
Director of Information
Celtic League

31/05/08


The Celtic League has branches in the six Celtic Countries. It works
to promote cooperation between these countries and campaigns on a
broad range of political, cultural and environmental matters. It highlights
human rights abuse, monitors all military activity and focuses on
socio-economic issues.

TEL (UK)01624 877918 MOBILE (UK)07624 491609

Internet site at:

http://celticleague.net
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/celtic_league/