Western Isles MSP, Alasdair Allan, has welcomed an ‘encouraging’ response he has received in a letter from Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) about concerns he had raised on growing numbers of Greylag Geese in Lewis and Harris.
In this SNH hold out the prospect of control measures similar to those already in operation in Uist and Orkney. These proposals were also discussed at a public meeting held in Stornoway on the 4th November.
Alasdair Allan commented:
“I was encouraged by SNH’s response to see that they accept that since 2010 the population of Greylag Geese in Lewis and Harris has increased by a massive 45%. As every crofter will know these numbers make crofting close to impossible in some areas and present a risk not just to crofting, but to the wider environment and habitats for other species.
“SNH have now indicated that they will work with crofters and others to seek funding for an adoptive management pilot project similar to that already underway in Uist and Orkney.
“I hope that this is the beginning of some progress on this long running problem as the islands simply cannot cope with this hugely increasing number of Greylag Geese. The proposal is for a concentrated effort to bring numbers back down to something reasonable and to make the sale of goose meat possible in the way that it is elsewhere. This proposal is at the early stages but I certainly hope it meets with success.”
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Hebrides Today brings you the latest news from the Western Isles
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