I FIND it hard to understand the double standards we are experiencing in the Forest at this time.
We have no restriction on the sheep that wander the roads and Forest at will and yet we are encircled by warning signs that put the countryside out of bounds to the rest of us. I feel the opinion from all I have spoken to on the subject is that all movement should be stopped if it will in the end preserve the wildlife that we hold so dear. Every vehicle that drives through the Forest is the potential carrier of this disease and the sheep that roam freely could in turn affect the deer. Where is the sense in that? Have I missed a valid point here? I am sure someone will enlighten me if there is a valid reason for restricting all but the sheep.
A further subject that cannot be ignored is that while we are up in arms and restricted in movement we hear that GM trials are planned for Blaisdon.
I must add my voice to growing public concern that this is an area that objected so much to the staging of the Severn Revels in Blaisdon in 1997 by objecting to the noise and light pollution for three days. These radicals, these party poopers will indeed be up in arms over a much more invasive action – that of pollution of the surrounding area by the introduction of GM crops.
I know that there are organic growers in the area who must be very concerned about their livelihood. We have all seen the evidence of patches of rape seed growing on the verges of roads. I do not believe that they were planted there, they were carried by the wind and I do not see that GM crops are going to be wind resistant. These trials should not be allowed to go ahead. – Beth Llewellyn-Creek, Kells Meend, Berry Hill, Coleford.