Highlands and Islands MSP Douglas Ross (inset, top) has criticised Jim Fairlie MSP’s response to the north’s seagull problem.
The Scottish Government has announced £100,000 to tackle disruptive urban gull populations before today’s Inverness summit on the issue that is already hugely controversial.
The gathering at NatureScot’s Highland HQ was agreed after sustained pressure from local groups and Highland MSPs Fergus Ewing and Douglas Ross but it is closed to the public and media.
The week before agriculture minister Jim Fairlie was due to chair the meeting, Jamie Hepburn resigned as a Scottish Government minister after an altercation with Mr Ross in Holyrood over the issue of gulls.
The gathering will bring together councillors, housing associations, business representatives, waste management organisations and community groups, scientific experts and NatureScot.
But misgivings about how the summit was arranged have continued to emerge as it is due to tackle growing concerns about gull behaviour in urban areas, where populations are increasing, even as coastal numbers decline.
Mr Fairlie said: “The summit allows us to share practical solutions, learn from real-world examples and identify gaps in current policies to develop a coordinated approach. We know that effective gull management often requires a range of solutions, particularly around litter management which provides food sources.
“Where public safety is at risk, NatureScot can issue control licences. Our focus now is on how we can prevent these issues from arising next year, with extra support provided and I look forward to seeing the projects that this additional funding will help.
“By working directly with affected communities and expert advisors we can ensure solutions are tailored to local circumstances with effective deterrents that make urban areas less attractive to gulls.”
Highland MSP Douglas Ross says recent moves show ‘how detached SNP ministers are from reality’.
That did nothing to convince Tory MSP Mr Ross, who said: “This pitiful funding announcement sums up how detached SNP ministers are from the reality facing communities across Scotland.
“Cash-strapped councils, organisations and community groups have already had to shell out thousands of pounds thanks to the inaction from SNP ministers in tackling menacing gulls, but nothing has changed and in many areas the problem is getting worse.
“This will be more taxpayers’ money squandered if SNP ministers and quango bosses do not urgently change their approach.
“Yet Jim Fairlie has decided this meeting should be a closed door talking shop between him and NatureScot bosses rather than hearing directly from those who have suffered as a result of these birds and those living in constant fear of being attacked by gulls.
“He should be using this summit to split the functions of NatureScot. It is ridiculous they are both responsible for protecting bird numbers and handing out licences to control them.”
He added: “Sadly, this farcical summit will achieve nothing for communities in Moray, the Highlands and across Scotland who are sick and tired of SNP ministers living on a different planet when it comes to this issue.”
Professor Colin Galbraith, NatureScot chair, said: “The evidence is clear that our gull populations are in decline.
“This funding will support local authorities to develop proactive and collaborative plans to manage gulls in a way that balances their conservation with any control activities.”
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