Jamie McGrigor, Highlands & Islands Conservative MSP, has welcomed the raising, in the Scottish Parliament this week, of farmers’ concerns about the effect upon their livestock of predation by sea eagles.
The issue was raised at Rural Affairs Question Time by Jamie’s West of Scotland Conservative colleague Jackson Carlaw MSP.
In Oban last Friday, Jamie attended a packed farmers’ meeting organised by NFU Scotland (NFUS) on the subject. In addition, on behalf of his crofting and farming constituents, he has consistently raised with the Scottish Government the issue of sea eagle predation upon livestock.
Commenting today, Jamie, who is Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Cross-Party Group on Crofting, said:
“Last week, I attended the NFUS meeting in Oban, which was very well attended by farmers worried about stock losses due to sea eagles; it was an emotionally charged event.
“Having worked on this issue for several years, I conferred with my Deputy Party Leader Jackson Carlaw, who was able to ask a question during this week’s Rural Affairs Questions. He reiterated the point I made about the feeling of helplessness among farmers and crofters at not being able to protect their sheep from a predatory sea eagle in the way they could protect their stock against any other predators.
“The Cabinet Secretary Richard Lochhead spoke of the value to tourism caused by the introduction of sea eagles, but he did at least agree to meet farmers with legitimate concerns. I hope this will be done, as it is surely a fundamental right of any shepherd to be able to protect the lives of the animals in his or her flock”.
To read the transcript of Jackson Carlaw’s question to Richard Lochhead at Holyrood’s Rural Affairs Question Time on 22 January, click here (see Columns 26855 & 26856).