APPEAL TO EUROPEAN COMMISSION ON SCOTTISH WINDFARMS

UNRESTRAINED AND insensitive WIND FARM DEVELOPMENT THREATENS FRAGILE POPULATION BALANCES AND BIODIVERSITY IN SCOTLAND

By uncritically permitting windfarm development in areas of natural beauty that are habitat to endangered bird species, The Scottish Executive and Scottish Natural Heritage are transgressing against the United Kingdom's obligations and responsibilities under European Union legislation; specifically the EU Birds (79/409/EEC) and Habitats (92/43/EEC) Directives.

The windfarm projects at Inverliever in Argyll, Eishken on the Isle of Lewis, and the Edinbane/Ben Aketil projects on the Isle of Skye, represent a threat to several protected bird species. Especially vulnerable to these developments are the White-tailed Eagle Haliaeetus albicilla and Golden Eagle Aquila chrysaetos, which face extirpation from Scotland and the United Kingdom due to the multiplication of windfarm projects in their habitat.

Organised opposition to these projects has to date been tardy and incomplete. It is now proposed to lobby the European Commission urging them to intervene as they conflict with contents of the relevant EU directives and contradict the principles for the establishment and maintenance of an extensive network of biodiversity sites, with sustainable and diverse bird populations, within the European Community. The cases cited in the appeal to the Commission are particularly critical for bird life; but they represent only a fraction of what is already being developed or planned across Scotland - e.g. the very large windfarm (234 turbines) in the NATURA 2000 area "Lewis Peatlands SPA", which the Scottish Executive is apparently determined to see built in defiance of the provisions of the EU Birds & Habitat Directives.

This appeal is intended to represent the personal concern of birders, ornithologists, conservationists and all those with a personal interest in husbanding our natural resources.

It will be posted in printed form, with comprehensive background material and arguments as annexes, to the European Commissioners. The appeal will be undersigned by the members of Proact International (currently 824 signatures). Those wishing to add their names in support are invited to send their full name, town/city/region and country in an email to info@proact-campaigns.net . Please put EC APPEAL in the subject line.

The content of the letter to the Commission, with its supporting Annexes, can be read at EC APPEAL TEXT

For those who wish to send a shorter and personal version (either separately or in addition to signing the appeal) please go to SHORT EC TEXT

Thank you,

David Conlin, Coordinator Proact International