Costly corncrakes

Madam, – Most people are worried about the damage that is being done to the environment by expanding world populations and the…

Madam, – Most people are worried about the damage that is being done to the environment by expanding world populations and the needs of modern society.

Thus EU directives on the protection of endangered species are to be welcomed where practicable.

However, a recent report (Home News, March 14th) reveals that the Department of the Environment spent €414,000 in 2010 in an attempt to reverse the decline in corncrake numbers. According to the report, the number of birds increased by five last year. In terms of money spent in one year alone this is a cost of €82,800 per bird. Since the conservation programme has been ongoing for many years, surely the cost per bird must be far greater.

One can only wonder if we can afford this sort of activity in the present economic circumstances, or if the scheme should be reviewed. – Yours, etc,

JJ MURPHY,

Glencormac,

Bray,

Co Wicklow.