Welcome to the Islands of Barra & Vatersay
Welcome to the Islands of Barra & Vatersay
From Barra to Edinburgh to London to Europe
2 November, 2009 - 12:16 — admin
The campaign against the designation of the Sound of Barra and the Mingulay reefs as Marine Special Areas of Conservation is proceeding across all fronts on the day that Andrew Thin, chairperson of Scottish Natural Heritage arrives in Barra for one of his regular meetings around Scotland. Banners of all kinds have been displayed in prominent localities around the island and will meet him at his meeting on Thursday evening in Castlebay. The concerns about the MSAC have been highlighted in the Scottish parliament by Alasdair Allan, raised at question time in the UK Parliament by Angus MacNeil and are now, yet again being raised with Brussels.
Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, with local SNP councillors, has written to the European Commission that consultation over a proposed Marine Special Area of Consultation in Barra needs to heed the voice of residents, not just scientists. Dr Allan commented: "Because of the inflexible way the European legislation is framed, the SAC consultation in Barra will not be a consultation as we know it. “Instead of considering the impact which designation might have on the people of Barra, it is only allowed to consider scientific questions "I can well understand why Scottish Natural Heritage will be getting a rough ride when they come to Barra on Thursday to hold a public meeting regarding the SAC.
"Both MP Angus MacNeil and I have raised this issue numerous times. I visited the European Commission last year to lobby them about this issue and I am now writing to them to convey upon them the strength of feeling on the Isle of Barra that needs to be heard and respected." Local SNP Councillors Donald Manford and Gerry MacLeod added: "Consultation on a predetermined outcome cannot be considered an adequate process. “It is certainly morally bankrupt. I am delighted that both our parliamentarians are challenging the European commission to justify their position."
From Barra to Edinburgh to London to Europe
The campaign against the designation of the Sound of Barra and the Mingulay reefs as Marine Special Areas of Conservation is proceeding across all fronts on the day that Andrew Thin, chairperson of Scottish Natural Heritage arrives in Barra for one of his regular meetings around Scotland. Banners of all kinds have been displayed in prominent localities around the island and will meet him at his meeting on Thursday evening in Castlebay. The concerns about the MSAC have been highlighted in the Scottish parliament by Alasdair Allan, raised at question time in the UK Parliament by Angus MacNeil and are now, yet again being raised with Brussels. Western Isles SNP MSP, Alasdair Allan, with local SNP councillors, has written to the European Commission that consultation over a proposed Marine Special Area of Consultation in Barra needs to heed the voice of residents, not just scientists. Dr Allan commented: "Because of the inflexible way the European legislation is framed, the SAC consultation in Barra will not be a consultation as we know it. “Instead of considering the impact which designation might have on the people of Barra, it is only allowed to consider scientific questions "I can well understand why Scottish Natural Heritage will be getting a rough ride when they come to Barra on Thursday to hold a public meeting regarding the SAC."Both MP Angus MacNeil and I have raised this issue numerous times. I visited the European Commission last year to lobby them about this issue and I am now writing to them to convey upon them the strength of feeling on the Isle of Barra that needs to be heard and respected." Local SNP Councillors Donald Manford and Gerry MacLeod added: "Consultation on a predetermined outcome cannot be considered an adequate process. “It is certainly morally bankrupt. I am delighted that both our parliamentarians are challenging the European commission to justify their position."The serious concern locally is that, once the announcement is made about formal consultation then it is too late for the views of the community on social and economic grounds to be taken into account. There is concern that the only advice taken by the Minister will be that scientific advice which will come from SNH.
Evidence to date from other areas already designated as MSACs, is that the management of such areas operates from a proscriptive perspective. ie Thou Shalt Not and not Thou May!