Alba : Pollution worry as Mod test depleted uranium weapons

Testing of depleted uranium (DU) munitions has once again resumed at the Dundrennan range in South West Scotland.

The latest trials, which were held earlier this month, involved ammunition for Challenger tanks and was the first such testing for five years.

Officials for QinetiQ, the range operators, and the Ministry of Defence have stressed the necessity for the test firings insisting they are necessary so that safety checks can be carried out on ammunition needed for military operations.

However, the issue of pollution in the North Irish sea with DU weapons is contentious not least within local communities. The trial was criticised by campaigners who held a protest in Kirkcudbright. In addition the South of Scotland MSP, Alasdair Morgan, has said that the tests are harmful to the environment.

The North Irish sea area is already heavily polluted with discarded munitions which wash up periodically on shorelines. In addition, DU testing has taken place from shore test sites such as Dundrennan and also from naval vessels carrying out exercises just north of the Isle of Man.

Following an outcry over DU testing some years ago it was hoped that the moratorium on testing would lead to its permanent cessation.

The Mod say: "Comprehensive environmental monitoring programmes involving air, water and soil sampling, have been in place at and around Kirkcudbright since the beginning of the DU munitions trials."

"The findings continue to show that DU does not pose a significant risk to the environment, or to members of the public or site personnel. We only do the firing when we have to."

However, this is disingenuous as environmental monitoring has only taken place in a limited area.

As usual it seems that Britain's military are oblivious to concerns in the Celtic countries about pollution caused by their tests.

One can only speculate at the furore which would occur if the Mod carried out such testing in the Thames.

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J B Moffatt Director of Information Celtic League

30/03/08