Question reference: S6W-00191
- Asked by: Mark Ruskell, MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife, Scottish Green Party
- Date lodged: 24 May 2021 Registered interest
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Current status: Answered by Mairi McAllan on 14 June 2021
Question
To ask the Scottish Government for what reason Sea Eagle Management Scheme payments are not directed solely to farms and croft landholdings where there are independently verified livestock predation incidents established by veterinary post-mortem analysis.
Answer
The Sea Eagle Management Scheme is not a compensation scheme and therefore does not require verification of predation. It is not possible to retrieve all carcasses in suspected predation incidents as sea eagles generally take prey back to their nests. The aim is to support farmers and crofters to manage livestock in the presence of sea eagles and to minimise the risks of possible predation through that management. Applications to the scheme are accepted only where there is known sea eagle activity and after discussions between expert contractors and the applicant to assess the level of sea eagle activity and possible impacts.