Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 19 May 2025
To ask the Scottish Government what action it is taking to tackle any impact that sea eagles have on livestock and small birds.
The Scottish Government and NatureScot support farmers and crofters through the Sea Eagle Management Scheme (SEMS).
As set out in March 2025, we have increased the funding for SEMS from £436,000 to £970,000 this year. We are committed to continuing to support farmers and crofters, especially those who feel the negative impacts most acutely, through SEMS.
Alongside this we are working on the development of future rural support to explore how it could assist in delivering support to farmers and crofters, where protected species such as white-tailed eagles have an impact on agricultural interests, and to support enhanced biodiversity in years to come.
We have not been made aware of any concerns regarding the impact that sea eagles are having on small birds.
More details on the Sea Eagle Management Scheme are available on the NatureScot website at https://www.nature.scot/professional-advice/land-and-sea-management/managing-wildlife/sea-eagle-management-scheme