Goose petition

Goose petition heard by rural affairs committee 25/6/14

The Scottish Crofting Federation (SCF) urged action to tackle the wild goose epidemic in crofting areas when it appeared before the Scottish Parliament Rural Affairs Committee.

SCF Chief Executive Patrick Krause said: “The Scottish Government cut the budget in 2008 and so we are petitioning the Scottish Parliament to support our call on the government to increase resources, especially to areas such as the Uists where the greylag geese are threatening the future of crofting”.

South Uist crofter and SCF Director Roddy MacDonald said: “Goose numbers have increased significantly, some ten-fold over the last decade and the budget cuts have contributed to this. Greylag geese have been resident in these islands for many years but the problems caused have escalated dramatically over the last number of years.

“Crofters are despairing as they see the geese destroy their crops and their grazing. We had an effective method of control, the ‘Machair Life Project’, which had community support, but the funding for the scheme has now ceased. In fact Scottish Government seem to be withdrawing financial support even though the problem is worsening.”

Mr MacDonald continued “Wild goose meat can be sold now but the licencing is very restrictive and, despite the demand, we are not allowed to sell meat off the islands. This is a great resource and a sustainable means of controlling the geese, a natural, community-led method. We just need a bit more financial support from the government and to open up the market for goose meat sales.”