25 July, 2016
Lewis and Harris goose management pilot project
Efforts to reduce the greylag goose population of Lewis and Harris will recommence on 1 August with shooting occurring where previously agreed with the landowner and occupier.
The management pilot, now in its third year, has been developed by a local goose management group with support from Scottish Natural Heritage and the Scottish Government’s Rural Inspections and Payments Department.
Its aim is to minimise the agricultural damage being experienced by crofters and farmers, by establishing a more sustainable goose population. The planned shooting period will continue until 31st August 2016, after which we will review our progress.
Work will be undertaken by a team of experienced volunteer shooters, operating under licence and following established best practice methods. Our initial target is for an additional 700 geese to be shot this autumn, as we aim to deliver a significant population reduction by April 2017.
To achieve the support of the local crofting and farming community is needed and key to this is establishing areas where shooting can occur safely and effectively.
Organisers have written to landowners and grazings clerks on Lewis and Harris to request permission, but it is important that crofters or farmers who wish to see the scheme succeed help the hunters by providing access and information.
To find out more about the pilot, contact:
Carloway Estate Trust (contracted to co-ordinate the pilot) 01851 643481
Scottish Natural Heritage, Stornoway 01851 705258
The Rural Inspections and Payments Department, Stornoway 01851 702392
The National Goose Management Review Group (NGMRG) recommends that each of the pilots are guided by the same three fundamental objectives of national goose policy which underpin existing goose schemes.
This will meet the UK’s nature conservation obligations for geese within the context of wider biodiversity objectives; minimise economic losses experienced by farmers and crofters as a result of the presence of geese, and maximise the value for money of public expenditure.
Contact information
- Name
- SNH Media
- snhmedia@snh.gov.uk
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