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Chamber and committees

Question reference: S6W-33390

  • Asked by: Carol Mochan, MSP for South Scotland, Scottish Labour
  • Date lodged: 17 January 2025
  • Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 28 January 2025

Question

To ask the Scottish Government whether it has (a) the capacity and (b) any plans to regulate the release of non-native gamebirds in situations where they might impact native wildlife through disease transmission, habitat degradation or predation.


Answer

The release of common pheasant and red-legged partridge is permitted under sub-section 14 (2A) of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 in Scotland. Currently the Scottish Government and NatureScot have no evidence that the release of non-native gamebirds are impacting on native wildlife through habitat degradation or predation. If there is evidence that non-native gamebirds are causing an impact, the Scottish Government will consider any evidence and take any action required.

The Scottish Government monitors the risk in wild and kept birds carefully and implements disease control measures such as restrictions, conditions or prohibitions in the pheasant sector as well as other sectors of commercial and non-commercial poultry industry, following changes in risk, in accordance with the legislation already in place.

Under the Avian Influenza and Influenza of Avian Origin in Mammals (Scotland) Order 2006, during an outbreak of highly pathogenic avian influenza or low pathogenic avian influenza the release of game birds is prohibited where a Protection, Surveillance Zone or a Restricted Zone is in place.

Further to this, NatureScot regulates the release of gamebirds on Sites of Special Scientific Interest (SSSI) and European Sites using powers under the Nature Conservation (Scotland) Act 2004. Where release of gamebirds may adversely affect the natural features of a SSSI, the owners or the occupiers of the site must apply for consent. NatureScot can give consent with or without conditions, refuse, modify or withdraw a consent as appropriate.

Where there are no other means to protect the natural features of specific areas of land from damage, Scottish Ministers can issue a Nature Conservation Order. Nature Conservation Orders can apply to land within or contiguous with a SSSI or European Site, or other land that Scottish Ministers deem of special interest for its natural features.