Islay Sustainable Goose Management Strategy

Eileen Stuart, head of policy and advice at SNH, said:

“We’re confident the Islay goose management project is robust and protects both the goose populations on Islay and the needs of farmers to protect their crops. The project will secure the long-term future of the large geese populations on Islay, and the geese will continue to be a wildlife spectacle we can all enjoy.

“The project will reduce crop damage significantly by decreasing the number of barnacle geese, improving habitat for rare Greenland white-fronted geese, and helping farmers manage their land more effectively. It will support large numbers of barnacle and white-fronted geese on the island, as well as help local farmers whose land and crops are affected by the geese. More than 70% of the island will remain as undisturbed feeding areas for geese.

"Barnacle geese numbers have increased steadily on Islay over the past 20 years or so, and farmers have played a crucial role in this conservation success story. But with more geese, there has been increased pressure on both farmers and the public purse. We believe this new, long-term strategy strikes the right balance between conservation, making sure Islay farmers can use their lands profitably, and responsible use of public money. Local stakeholders have been vital in the development of this project."

Facts/Corrections

• The barnacle goose population has exceeded 45,000 geese in 5 of the last 10 years. The maximum population figure set out in the Islay goose management strategy is 41,250.

• Sea eagles, golden eagles and buzzards will not be affected by the strategy. Goose carcasses are collected, not left in the field, so raptors will not ingest lead shot. We also don’t use lead shot in areas where it is banned; marksmen use rifles and different types of shot where necessary.

• We have had little evidence of cancelled booking by tourists, despite asking for tourism providers to report this or any complaints from tourists to us. The local tourist office has never received any complaints about goose management activities despite regular shooting to scare geese taking place on Islay for many years .

• Large amounts of fertiliser aren’t applied to the grass to encourage geese to graze when cattle are housed. Fertiliser is applied in spring, after the geese leave, to encourage grass to grow for silage production to feed cattle in winter.

• We have tried a range of scaring techniques and lethal shooting of geese over the past 15 years, which have not been effective at protecting crops.

For more information on the strategy, see http://www.snh.gov.uk/land-and-sea/managing-wildlife/managing-geese/islay-goose-project/