Question reference: S6W-05857
- Asked by: Christine Grahame, MSP for Midlothian South, Tweeddale and Lauderdale, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 21 January 2022
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 3 February 2022
Question
To ask the Scottish Government whether it will take action to stop the culling, through NatureScot, of Greenland barnacle geese on Islay, in light of the reported strain already on the species population due to the effects of bird flu on the Svalbard population on the Solway, and what the reasons are for its position on this matter.
Answer
There are currently no cases of Avian Influenza in any goose species recorded on Islay.
The barnacle geese present on Islay are from the Greenland population and mixing between these and the Svalbard population in the Solway is rare.
The Islay population are well monitored and are managed using an adaptive management approach, which can respond quickly to any changes in the situation.