03.03.04

Campaigners against TETRA, the controversial new police communications system, are delighted that the Scottish Parliament is taking their health concerns seriously.

The campaigners’ petition which calls for a halt to the roll-out of Airwave mmO2’s TETRA system until the masts have been tested against relevant safety standards, was today (03.03.04) referred to the Communities Committee for a full inquiry.


Alison Mackay, one of the many campaigners from different regions of Scotland who attended the Parliament today, said,

“This is exactly what we hoped would happen. It is just crazy that TETRA masts are being put up across Scotland without first being tested against meaningful and relevant safety standards.”


Arthur Jarrett, Mast Sanity’s Scottish TETRA Co-ordinator, explained,

"The supposed safety guidelines used to promote this technology, are wholly inadequate - they protect the industry and government interests, not the public's. It has been repeatedly demonstrated that TETRA masts create detectable pulsing at 17.6Hz, a frequency known to produce adverse health effects. The long-term impact of living close to such a mast is too great a risk for anyone, especially for children and the vulnerable anywhere in Scotland.

"We want an efficient communication system for the emergency services, but certainly not one with such obvious risks for both the public and police users.” 
Committee Convenor, Michael McMahon, MSP noted that there was no need for further delay, and that the Communities Committee could refer any specific concerns to other relevant committees such as Health and Transport and the Environment.
Carolyn Leckie, MSP, stated that she is horrified at the number of planning applications which have already been granted.


Alison Mackay added,
We trust that the Communities Committee will address the matter with some urgency. It is important that the health impact of the masts is fully investigated before the system goes live. We know that residents in areas of England where the masts are already operational have reported migraines, body heating, rashes, disturbed concentration and exhaustion.


Arthur Jarrett concluded,

"This system will cost the Scottish Executive more than £15 million a year when it is operational. On top of that, each local authority is likely to face a bill up to 9 times higher than their current police communications systems. It is madness to spend such huge amounts of money on an untrialled system which looks like making thousands of people ill."

Ends


NOTE FOR EDITORS

For further information, please contact
Alison Mackay 01334 652854 alison@alisonmackay.charitydays.co.uk
Arthur Jarrett 01382 541347 artjar@supanet.com



WORDING OF THE PETITION TO THE SCOTTISH PARLIAMENT
We call on the Scottish Parliament to delay the installation of 700 TETRA masts in Scotland until –

· potential risks to health have been thoroughly assessed
· relevant safety standards are drawn up
· the masts have been fully tested against the relevant safety standards.


We also call upon the Parliament to amend planning guidance to allow due weight to be given by local planning committees to possible effects on health. These decisions should be based on the precautionary principle.