Act now to preserve our woodland

FIRST it was our elm trees, then our beech. Recently our ash trees and now vast acres of 1,000 year old larch forests are being subjected to clearing. Where, suddenly, in the space of 50 years are all these diseases coming from? What’s the one, underlying factor?

Well at first I was going to say Mankind itself; but having read many of the reports and listened to the experts, another factor comes quickly into play. Without exception all the diseases devastating our native trees, originated in Eastern Europe and Asia and, whereas before we imported very little from those areas and migration was almost nil, now our forests that have survived for thousand of years, protected by our splendid isolation, are under a deadly assault.

These diseases (which are still common in many parts of Europe and Asia) have not been brought here borne on the wind or carried by birds as some would suggest.

No, man-made goods, imported plants, saplings and people have carried them here and we, or rather our countryside, must now endure the whirlwind of destruction that follows!

In 1990, the European Environmental Health Foundation submitted a report to the European Parliament (and the UK Government) warning of the consequences our natural habitat faced if unfettered access was allowed for imported plants and trees.

That advice, like so much else in those hallowed halls, was ignored. Now, of course, the fungus has taken hold.

It can cross infect to other species of trees and yes, now its spores will become wind-borne leaving no woodland in the country safe or impervious to destruction over time.

I would urge all our political representatives to ensure as quickly as possible, any temporary ban on the commercial importation of saplings and plants from abroad, should be firmed up into a permanent ban.

I believe we should demand, more money is made available to encourage and expand woodland nurseries here in Britain.

Only then can we effect the replanting of those woodlands we have and will lose! Action is needed now, locally and nationally. If not, we will see our woodlands, the tree-lined avenues of our towns and cities all disappear.

Marriage rights

From: Bob Watson, Springfield Road, Baildon.

THE issue of forced marriage has raised its head once again (Yorkshire Post, October 7), and without doubt it is vital that this totally unacceptable practice is stamped out as soon as possible.

However, this also raises the question of arranged marriage. This, in my view, is a dangerous third world practice that should have no place in a civilised society.

Indeed, there is often very little difference between the two, with arranged marriages putting undue pressure and influence on some of those involved, with all the dangers that this can bring.

Neither form of marriage should have any place in the society of the 21st century.

Unfortunately nothing like enough is being done to address either of these issues, and it is time that any cultural sensitivities were put firmly to one side.

Lottery losing

From: Trev Bromby, Sculcoates Lane, Hull.

JUST like the Premium Bonds, minimum purchase £100, the Lottery is being ripped away from us “plebs” and soon the only people able to afford it are those who do not need to gamble on a dream.

Initially, I did two lines at a cost of £2.

Then Camelot deviously introduced a Wednesday draw using the same numbers which led to the dilemma: do I risk those numbers coming up on Wednesday? No! I am psychologically forced to double my stake.

From Saturday, for the same reason, my stake will double again, or will I drop a number and go with the Health Lottery?

Camelot – the name is from the annals of mythical history and the home of chivalry. How apt that it has come to symbolise a short-lived golden era.

Decision made. Goodbye, Lotto. Hello, Health Lottery.

Overseas post

From: Brian Ormondroyd, Stanhope Court, Leeds.

I AM utterly appalled at the announcement of the sale – giveaway might be a better term – of our Royal Mail.

Spivs and speculators will be rubbing their hands with glee. How long will it be before our Mail is in the hands of overseas companies?

See energy, water, rail. Many of these overseas companies being state owned, hence the British people are bailing out businesses abroad.

Our Mail is not for sale.

Our profitable rail lines must be returned to British ownership. All privatised companies must be brought back under British control. Britain has become the laughing stock of the world.

Action cannot wait.

Electoral folly

From: Julian Vallance, Main Street, Follifoot, Harrogate.

IT is plain that David Cameron does not want an in/out EU referendum. He has promised one merely because he thinks it will help him electorally. It is unlikely that, even if elected with a absolute majority, he will deliver.

Evidence? If he really wanted an in/out referendum by the 
end of 2017, and wanted to deliver on his promise, he would have a referendum now which would require the next government (regardless of 
colour) to hold an in/out referendum, on whatever membership terms, then available by the end of 2017. That would enable potential Ukip voters to vote Tory. If Labour/Liberals did not support this referendum now, it would boost the Tory vote.

If he does not do this, I shall vote Ukip.