WIREDGOV

Ways of adapting Scotland's goose management schemes to make them more responsive to conservation needs are being considered by the Scottish Government.

It follows a fundamental review suggesting that the current schemes have been very successful in protecting and sustaining many important goose populations. However, the review also suggests that the help available is inconsistent.

As a result the Scottish Government is working with Scottish Natural Heritage and the National Goose Management Review Group to target funds accordingly. The aim is to concentrate on protecting those species of higher conservation status, such as the Greenland White Fronted Goose.

The proposals would continue to allow farmers and crofters to organise the control of geese locally but will re-balance the focus of payments made under local goose management schemes.

Minister for Environment and Climate Change Roseanna Cunningham said:

"It's encouraging that some populations of these birds are thriving thanks to the goose management schemes, some of which were put in place over ten years ago. This is the result of the collaborative effort to protect them.

"We have to build on this success by concentrating our efforts on species that aren't doing so well. This will allow us to target the money available where it's needed most.

"I hope we'll continue to work successfully with stakeholders, through the National Goose Management Review Group and in local goose schemes on developing this new approach. Any changes will be phased in gradually and this will allow us to respond to concerns from interested groups as they arise."

Director of RSPB Scotland, Stuart Housden commented:

"Scotland has globally significant populations of wild geese - a precious natural asset and an important resource for tourism and local economies on Islay, the Solway and other parts of Scotland.

"However, we do understand that in some locations, geese can have real impacts on agriculture. Inclusive partnership working has been successful in managing these pressures in recent decades.

"We appreciate that spend now needs to be optimised for the advantage of geese, farmers and the tourists who enjoy seeing them. RSPB Scotland favours a planned approach that focuses resources on those species most in conservation need, such as Greenland White-fronted geese.

"We believe that actions must be based on sound evidence, and we urge that the necessary data is gathered, including national figures on hunting bags, so future management is responsive to the changing fortunes of geese."

Jonathan Hall of NFU Scotland said:

"The national goose management policy review has clearly recognised the successful role of existing schemes in reconciling conservation obligations with the need to minimise agricultural damage caused by protected goose species.

"Local schemes, with direct involvement of local farmers and crofters, have clearly resulted in positive goose management and relegated conflicting interests.

"While current funding issues present challenges for policy makers and practitioners alike, there is real justification for continued measures to manage protected goose species where they thrive on productive agricultural land.

"But national goose management policy must extend to all goose species in Scotland that impact on farming and crofting interests. So NFU Scotland is equally determined that action is also taken to effectively address significant agricultural damage caused by quarry species in many areas outside existing goose scheme areas.

"It is vital that this national goose management policy review process also results in practical measures for farmers and crofters to minimise the adverse impacts of burgeoning populations of geese across Scotland."

There are seven local goose management schemes across Scotland in Islay, Kintyre, Solway, Strathbeg, South Walls, The Uists and Tiree and Coll. These schemes have been developed by local goose management groups within the national policy framework.

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