Chamber
Plenary, 30 Oct 2008
30 Oct 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Non-native Invasive Species
Non-native species do not normally get an airing in Parliament. Perhaps that is one of the benefits of a by-election taking place in a certain place shortly.
I was interested to see that, within the past couple of weeks, the BBC ran a special item on this subject in its news bulletins for a week. That shows the issue's importance, even if it is not on the radar of most Scots.
We must distinguish between non-native species—Scottish Natural Heritage reports almost 1,000 terrestrial and freshwater species and a further 24 marine species—and non-native species that are invasive and cause damage to natural habitats and native species. SNH estimates that about 76 non-native species are clearly causing damage. We should be concerned about only those species.
It is sometimes difficult to imagine that some of the species are a problem. I think of the beautiful rhododendron displays that we get throughout Scotland in mid to late spring, and seeing them as I drive down the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William. On the west coast, in Ardnamurchan and Argyll, we can see their glorious colours, and they are used on picture postcards of Scotland. However, they are certainly not a native species and they are damaging, because where rhododendrons grow, little else does. That is a good illustration of one of the negative effects of non-native invasive species on biodiversity, to which others have referred. Although the problem is widespread, there is a particular problem for sites of special scientific interest, which can be threatened.
Members have referred to the grey squirrel and its effect on our very delicate and beautiful red squirrel. We had a debate on that subject the other evening, so I will not repeat all that was said, but it is a good example of a non-native invasive species threatening one of our species by forcing it out of its environment. There are many other examples, as members have mentioned. Giant hogweed is taking over many of our river banks and presenting a danger to young people, as well as pushing out other species. Mink are having an effect on water voles, and Japanese knotweed is taking over in many places, not just in Scotland but in other nations as well, as I saw during my visits this summer.
Particular parts of the country, especially our islands, have distinct ecosystems and can be affected disproportionately by mainland species reaching them. Roseanna Cunningham mentioned the hedgehogs in the Uists and the cost of eradicating them to stop them having a profound effect on ground-nesting birds. Not only have the hedgehogs had an effect on biodiversity, they have had an economic effect, because a lot of tourists go to the Uists to see those birds.
The economic effects can be important. I think of the slipper limpet—as I often do, Presiding Officer—making its way up the west coast and getting closer to our commercial mussel farms, which could be severely affected by the limpet's advance. I think of the New Zealand flatworm, which threatened our earthworm in the past, and what it could do to the productivity of our soils. Others have alluded to the dangers of the Norwegian freshwater parasite getting into Scottish rivers and affecting our salmon population, which would not only affect biodiversity but have a huge economic impact, particularly in my part of the world. I think of the Harris superquarry and the many arguments that were levelled against it, such as the effect of taking aggregate across the world then bringing back ballast water from other parts of the world and releasing it into our waters.
That takes me to my third point, to which Nanette Milne has referred. World trade, globalisation and the greater ease of travel increases the risk of importing invasive species. We need to be more vigilant. Compared with other countries, I wonder whether we are as vigilant. Three years ago, I visited Australia. As I went through customs, I had my shoes taken from me and disinfected, because I admitted that I lived in the countryside and the staff, I presume, wanted to ensure that no parasites got in on the bottom of my shoes. Similarly, in the United States of America this year, I was stopped at customs because I was carrying an apple, and there was concern about a particular kind of fruit fly. I confess that it occurred to me that the fruit fly could have flown out of the building that I was in. Nevertheless, those are examples of countries being vigilant.
Climate change is also a threat. As the air and the seas get warmer, the opportunities for species to survive further north increase. Equally, because of changing temperatures, some of our species are moving further up our mountains and hillsides, which changes those habitats.
We are discussing important issues, which is why the framework strategy is in place at the GB level. The strategy needs to be multipronged, and involve prevention, surveillance, detection and monitoring, rapid response, early intervention, eradication and control, more research, greater public awareness and a partnership approach.
If the Government comes forward with sensible measures—which it has indicated it will do—we will support it, because these are important issues.
I was interested to see that, within the past couple of weeks, the BBC ran a special item on this subject in its news bulletins for a week. That shows the issue's importance, even if it is not on the radar of most Scots.
We must distinguish between non-native species—Scottish Natural Heritage reports almost 1,000 terrestrial and freshwater species and a further 24 marine species—and non-native species that are invasive and cause damage to natural habitats and native species. SNH estimates that about 76 non-native species are clearly causing damage. We should be concerned about only those species.
It is sometimes difficult to imagine that some of the species are a problem. I think of the beautiful rhododendron displays that we get throughout Scotland in mid to late spring, and seeing them as I drive down the Great Glen from Inverness to Fort William. On the west coast, in Ardnamurchan and Argyll, we can see their glorious colours, and they are used on picture postcards of Scotland. However, they are certainly not a native species and they are damaging, because where rhododendrons grow, little else does. That is a good illustration of one of the negative effects of non-native invasive species on biodiversity, to which others have referred. Although the problem is widespread, there is a particular problem for sites of special scientific interest, which can be threatened.
Members have referred to the grey squirrel and its effect on our very delicate and beautiful red squirrel. We had a debate on that subject the other evening, so I will not repeat all that was said, but it is a good example of a non-native invasive species threatening one of our species by forcing it out of its environment. There are many other examples, as members have mentioned. Giant hogweed is taking over many of our river banks and presenting a danger to young people, as well as pushing out other species. Mink are having an effect on water voles, and Japanese knotweed is taking over in many places, not just in Scotland but in other nations as well, as I saw during my visits this summer.
Particular parts of the country, especially our islands, have distinct ecosystems and can be affected disproportionately by mainland species reaching them. Roseanna Cunningham mentioned the hedgehogs in the Uists and the cost of eradicating them to stop them having a profound effect on ground-nesting birds. Not only have the hedgehogs had an effect on biodiversity, they have had an economic effect, because a lot of tourists go to the Uists to see those birds.
The economic effects can be important. I think of the slipper limpet—as I often do, Presiding Officer—making its way up the west coast and getting closer to our commercial mussel farms, which could be severely affected by the limpet's advance. I think of the New Zealand flatworm, which threatened our earthworm in the past, and what it could do to the productivity of our soils. Others have alluded to the dangers of the Norwegian freshwater parasite getting into Scottish rivers and affecting our salmon population, which would not only affect biodiversity but have a huge economic impact, particularly in my part of the world. I think of the Harris superquarry and the many arguments that were levelled against it, such as the effect of taking aggregate across the world then bringing back ballast water from other parts of the world and releasing it into our waters.
That takes me to my third point, to which Nanette Milne has referred. World trade, globalisation and the greater ease of travel increases the risk of importing invasive species. We need to be more vigilant. Compared with other countries, I wonder whether we are as vigilant. Three years ago, I visited Australia. As I went through customs, I had my shoes taken from me and disinfected, because I admitted that I lived in the countryside and the staff, I presume, wanted to ensure that no parasites got in on the bottom of my shoes. Similarly, in the United States of America this year, I was stopped at customs because I was carrying an apple, and there was concern about a particular kind of fruit fly. I confess that it occurred to me that the fruit fly could have flown out of the building that I was in. Nevertheless, those are examples of countries being vigilant.
Climate change is also a threat. As the air and the seas get warmer, the opportunities for species to survive further north increase. Equally, because of changing temperatures, some of our species are moving further up our mountains and hillsides, which changes those habitats.
We are discussing important issues, which is why the framework strategy is in place at the GB level. The strategy needs to be multipronged, and involve prevention, surveillance, detection and monitoring, rapid response, early intervention, eradication and control, more research, greater public awareness and a partnership approach.
If the Government comes forward with sensible measures—which it has indicated it will do—we will support it, because these are important issues.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Alasdair Morgan):
SNP
The next item of business is a debate on motion S3M-2777, in the name of Richard Lochhead, on non-native invasive species.
The Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment (Richard Lochhead):
SNP
I am delighted to open the debate on invasive non-native species and to commend "The Invasive Non-Native Species Framework Strategy for Great Britain". Befor...
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
The cabinet secretary mentioned angling. He must know that many anglers are worried about the possible introduction of the parasite Gyrodactylus salaris. In ...
Richard Lochhead:
SNP
Jamie McGrigor raises an important issue. He will be aware that we recently published a strategy on freshwater fisheries in Scotland that addresses that dise...
Elaine Murray (Dumfries) (Lab):
Lab
The reaction of many people to hearing that the Scottish Parliament is spending time debating a strategy on invasive non-native species might well be to ask,...
Jim Hume (South of Scotland) (LD):
LD
The Liberal Democrats welcome the publication of the strategy. Its implementation will be crucial in safeguarding Scotland's most vulnerable native plants an...
Nanette Milne (North East Scotland) (Con):
Con
I apologise in advance if my voice gives out before my time is up. Giant hogweed, Japanese knotweed, Rhododendron ponticum, grey squirrel and American mink a...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
We move to the open debate, with speeches of no more than six minutes.
Roseanna Cunningham (Perth) (SNP):
SNP
So exciting was the debate so far that I managed to break the podium on the desk over there. I hope that we can all calm down a bit now.
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
It will, no doubt, be deducted from your salary.
Roseanna Cunningham:
SNP
Obviously, there is a need for a strategy because the invasion of non-native species is a huge issue that affects a wide range of economic activity in the co...
The Minister for Environment (Michael Russell):
SNP
It is not over yet.
Roseanna Cunningham:
SNP
So—there is no final figure. Obviously, research is extremely important as well.As has been mentioned, one of the three strands of the invasive non-native sp...
Peter Peacock (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
Non-native species do not normally get an airing in Parliament. Perhaps that is one of the benefits of a by-election taking place in a certain place shortly....
Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I welcome this debate, as I welcomed the publication of the strategy document earlier in the year. I agree with the framework strategy's stark message that t...
Michael Russell:
SNP
Does the member accept that the beaver is not an invasive species and that, indeed, the beaver has been in Scotland for longer even than the McGrigors, who p...
Jamie McGrigor:
Con
Many of my constituents simply do not see the beaver trial as a reintroduction, because they are not convinced that beavers ever lived in Argyll.I draw the m...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
The member's time is up.
Jamie McGrigor:
Con
I will sum up. It is important that people are included in the equation. That point should guide us constantly as we move forward.I do not want to give the i...
The Deputy Presiding Officer:
SNP
Order. The debate is oversubscribed.
Jamie McGrigor:
Con
Thank you.
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
I will make a short declaration in Gaelic, which I will then repeat in English. Bu chaomh leam a ràdh ris an SNP nach do bhàsaich mi fhathast agus gu bheil i...
Michael Russell:
SNP
I counsel the member to be cautious in what he says. It is important to point out that Scottish Natural Heritage, with the community, is investigating what i...
John Farquhar Munro:
LD
I thank the minister for that rebuke, but the evidence has been produced not only in Gairloch but in the north end of Skye and Glenelg. One of my crofting ne...
Kenneth Gibson (Cunninghame North) (SNP):
SNP
I speak as a member of probably the world's most corrosive species: our own Homo sapiens, which originated in Africa and entered Scotland only in the past 10...
Rhoda Grant (Highlands and Islands) (Lab):
Lab
I welcome the debate. It is good to see that Governments are co-operating on how to deal with non-native species. Their co-operation is welcomed and encourag...
Ian McKee (Lothians) (SNP):
SNP
It is with some caution that I enter this debate, being myself a non-native species that wafted into Scotland some 55 years ago. I hope, however, that I will...
Liam McArthur (Orkney) (LD):
LD
I have often found it helpful, in preparing for such debates, to consider whether there is a local angle so that I can embellish my thoughts with some local ...
John Scott (Ayr) (Con):
Con
The debate has been unexpectedly good. The Scottish Conservatives recognise the importance of controlling the invasive non-native species that threaten biodi...
Elaine Murray:
Lab
At the beginning of debates such as this, I often wonder whether I ought to declare that, many years ago, we took out a family membership of the RSPB. Of cou...