The project, led by Scottish & Southern Electricity Networks, is part of the East Coast 400kV Phase 2, aimed at modernising the electricity grid. This overhead pylon route traverses prime agricultural land, posing a significant threat to the agricultural industry which has yet to be properly addressed.

The planned series of 187-feet pylons between Kintore and Tealing traverses prime agricultural land, unlike previous projects. SSEN must do more to properly address biosecurity dangers. Galbraith is advising a substantial number of landowners along the route.

Despite landowners identifying the risk to the agricultural industry in responses to initial consultations, SSEN still do not appear to have properly address the threat. After SSEN’s contractor, Balfour Beattie, asked landowners in the Mearns and Angus to detail their concerns, the landowners produced a protocol of suggested biosecurity measures required in March 2023.

SSEN has yet to explain its concerns about the document.

Biosecurity measures outlined by SSEN and its contractor Balfour Beattie in August 2023 do not adequately address risks associated with potato cyst nematode (PCN), a microscopic pest that attacks potato roots, potentially leading to significant crop failures, nor clubroot, a soilborne disease affecting crops including brassicas such as cabbage and oilseed rape, causing swollen and deformed roots – both potentially significant for a route passing through prime agricultural land. Biosecurity measures proposed by Balfour Beattie are more suited to grazing areas than prime agricultural land.

Despite recognising that protection is essential against soil- borne pathogens, the proposed measures omit mandatory steam cleaning of machinery and comprehensive soil testing before and after work – both potentially critical in avoiding disease spread.

SSEN, despite indicting that “soil sampling for both PCN and Clubroot will be carried out before and after both ground investigation works and construction works” in August 2024, has yet to carry out such works.

Notwithstanding the risks of proceeding without such tests being pointed out in meetings in February of that year, SSEN now appears to wish to proceed with invasive surveys using powers of entry available to it under the Electricity Act 1989, citing time pressures.

These notice procedures have no judicial oversight; SSEN is judge and jury in its own case. The onus of proving any loss is on the claimant, leaving landowners exposed if no proper independent testing has taken place prior to SSEN taking entry. To try to suggest time is an issue seems inherently unreasonable in such circumstances.

The second-biggest economic threat to potatoes after late blight, PCN has affected crops across numerous countries, sometimes causing yield losses exceeding 70% depending on soil type and potato variety. The UK loses some ￡26 million annually from PCN, rising to more than ￡60 million when taking into account the cost of yield protection measures.

PCN cannot be eradicated and can survive in soil for up to 20 years. Infected land can no longer be used to grow seed potatoes, a vital part of Scotland's ￡4.5 billion potato supply chain. A significant addition of PCN-infested land would threaten the industry’s sustainability Clubroot, a further cause for concern, can reduce yields of oilseed rape by 10% ad in severe cases cause complete crop failure.

These lands are crucial for Scotland's agricultural output, particularly for high-value crops such as potatoes and daffodils – key crops along the chosen route. I know this as I own and farm a property along the route. The potential spread of soil-borne pathogens along this route could have long-term economic and environmental consequences for Scottish agriculture which will have to be addressed in planning applications.

Galbraith is recommending a series of actions by landowners potentially affected, including testing for PCN and clubroot and recording the condition of land prior to entry, and the adoption of strict hygiene protocols covering vehicles, equipment and footwear, maintaining detailed records and action logs, and undertaking regular inspections during works.

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