SRUC makes pledge to share wildlife management
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The agreement sets out principals to follow when discussing issues such as sea eagle impacts on livestock.
A new Shared Approach to Wildlife Management concordat has been developed and signed by Scotland's Rural College (SRUC) together with a wide range of organisations across Scotland.
The agreement sets out principles to follow when engaging in discussions on contentious wildlife management issues, such as sea eagle impacts on livestock. This shared approach, the result of 18 months collaboration, recognises the need to work in partnership and that everyone has a responsibility to manage wildlife as a shared resource.
“The shared approach is highly relevant to SRUC as many of our colleagues will become involved in wildlife management discussions at some point,” explained Professor Davy McCracken, head of integrated land management department at SRUC. “We have consultants who are in regular contact with land managers, lecturers delivering a wide range of land management courses and researchers like myself who help to advise on policy developments.”
Wildlife management is integral to farming, conservation management, tourism and forestry in Scotland. Among the signatories of the Concordat include NatureScot, National Trust for Scotland and the Royal Society for the Protection for Birds.
Professor McCracken added: “We have signed up to the Shared Approach to Wildlife Management because it will help us explain to our clients and students why some elements of wildlife management may need to change in the future and what that may mean for them.”
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