Question reference: S6W-00103
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 19 May 2021
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 7 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of Section 14(2A) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, what legislative changes it is proposing to mitigate any damage caused to the natural heritage by the release of excessive numbers of non-native pheasants and red-legged partridges.
Answer
The release of red-legged partridges and pheasants is a legal activity and is expressly permitted under the Wildlife & Countryside Act 1981.
At present there is no evidence that gamebirds are having an impact on the features of protected areas as shown by NatureScot’s Site Condition Monitoring work and little information to suggest that they are having an impact on Scotland’s wider natural heritage. The Scottish Government therefore has no current plans to legislate in this area.