IN view of the current Japanese difficulties and the knee-jerk reaction of many here, I believe prejudice against the nuclear industry is unfair and unfounded. Given basic precautions nuclear power is safe, clean and cost-effective – in every sense.

Certainly, anti-nuclear prejudice is not borne out by the experience of the Chernobyl area. There, when people moved out wildlife moved in and is now thriving, with no apparent ill-effects. No sign of environmental harm there (and Chernobyl, let us remember, was by far the worst accident in the entire history of nuclear power).

The fact is that the nuclear solution to our current and foreseeable energy needs is the only one we realistically have available. The sooner we face up to this fact, the better.

Tony Kelly, Crook.