Scottish farmers affected by geese
The NFU for Scotland has said farming grassland is being affected as geese thrive in Scotland's islands and coastal areas. The union is now asking the Scottish government to take action.
The rise in geese population is causing a knock-on effect for Scottish farmers, threatening their businesses. Livestock numbers are falling due to ungrazeable land, and with budgets already under pressure, it is hoped the extra strain for farmers will soon be averted.
NFUS want the Scottish Government to revisit their local goose management schemes since their successful conservation effort. The schemes have faced funding cuts; however, the growing number of geese is now taking its toll on local farmers who are struggling to support the birds on their farmland.
Nigel Miller, NFUS president said, 'Geese in their thousands are devastating grassland in our most fragile farming areas… If the Scottish government cannot provide public funding to meet the conservation objectives, Farmers and crofters in key locations for critical goose populations must not be left to carry the costs'.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
