Trevor Koronka is right about the threat to tourism which, like it or not, is now the economic backbone of most rural areas (Letters, September 21).

Given that windpower cannot replace nuclear, as conceded by the Sustainable Development Commission, nor can it retire any significant thermal generating capacity (E.ON Netz Wind Report 2005) we must conclude that it is worthless and possibly damaging to the power industry.

It would be madness to break that backbone of tourism and yet the windpower industry puts us in a classic 'Catch 22' by saying "There is no evidence to suggest that wind farms deter tourists, indeed many wind farms are themselves tourist attractions" (British Wind Energy Association website).

VisitScotland's survey (2002), which was effectively conducted 'blind', recorded over a quarter of tourists saying they were unlikely to return to a 'turbinised' landscape and Tourism Operators in North West Lewis (2004) arrived at a similar disturbing conclusion.

We shall not be able to disprove BWEA's "... no evidence" until it is too late. A classic case for the precautionary principle.