Meeting of the Parliament 01 October 2025 [Draft]
I will repeat what I said. One of the functions of being a Government minister is to use that convening power to bring people into the room. That is particularly important when we have thorny issues to find solutions to and when we have disparate voices and opposing views on how to find those solutions. Understanding those opposing views, hearing what the genuine problems are and taking a considered, balanced approach allows us to find the proportionate solutions. Everyone then has all the information to be able to contribute constructively to finding that common ground. We have done that before on other issues, such as deer management and wildlife management, and it is an approach that I will continue to adopt.
The issues are not easy. Views can be extremely polarised, but only by having those difficult conversations will we find balanced solutions. The Scottish Government chairs those meetings, but it is the other knowledgeable voices who give the help, advice and guidance that are vital to making progress. Let me be clear: I was determined that the summit was to be about finding solutions to the very real and recognised problems. Let me be equally clear that I absolutely acknowledge the strength of feeling on the issue. We have heard from residents, businesses and local authorities from Eyemouth to Inverness and from Dumfries to Aberdeen about the disruption that is caused by gulls, particularly during the nesting season. The complaints are familiar: persistent noise, aggressive defending behaviour, damage to property and risks to public health. Those concerns are real, and I wish to assure the Parliament that they are being taken seriously and that the Government will take targeted action where necessary.
We must recognise that gulls are a protected species for a very valid reason. Many gulls, including the herring gull and the great black-backed gull, are in significant decline. In particular, the herring gull population has halved since the 1980s. These birds face threats from climate change, overfishing, habitat loss and the devastation of avian flu.
The summit brought together those who needed to be in the room: local authorities, housing associations, representatives of business, waste experts, community groups, scientists and NatureScot. It was a constructive forum for sharing practical solutions, identifying knowledge gaps and laying the groundwork for a co-ordinated response. The summit was the first step in our work on gull issues, but I was very pleased with the progress that was made there, and I will outline momentarily the work that we will be taking forward over the coming months.
We must now shift our focus from reactive control to preventive management—and we must do so urgently, ahead of next year’s breeding season. That means tackling the root causes: the availability of food and nesting sites in urban areas. Although that may sound straightforward, it will require a co-ordinated effort across Government, local authorities, health boards, housing associations and individual households.
It is clear that, although many are working hard to mitigate gull impacts, efforts are fragmented and often ineffective, so we need to align our approach. Over the coming months, we will focus on five key areas.
On local engagement, NatureScot will lead a series of regional round-table events in areas most affected by gull-related issues. They will bring together local stakeholders to agree on collaborative action ahead of the next breeding season. NatureScot will be listening to and working with local people.
On best practice, last week I announced an initial £100,000 from NatureScot to support local authorities to develop proactive and collaborative management of gulls. NatureScot will work with local authorities to develop a co-ordinated gull management plan. That will sit alongside work on the Highland Council project. Highland Council and NatureScot have jointly committed to the development and delivery of pilot gull management for the city of Inverness. We will then draw on successful examples, such as the work in Inverness, to inform national best practice.
The summit also highlighted a significant gap in our understanding of gull behaviour and ecology. We will work to fill such gaps through research and data collection, ensuring that our interventions are informed and effective. Alongside short-term deterrents, we must also consider long-term design solutions. Making our buildings less attractive to gulls through thoughtful planning, restoration and retrofitting will be key. There are good pieces of work that we can look to, from roof structures on new builds and refurbishments to minimise the attraction to nesting gulls, to planning conditions for commercial businesses and food outlets that require effective waste management.
There must also be public awareness. Access to food is one of the biggest drivers of gull presence in urban areas. We heard at the summit about successful efforts in Inverness to remove commercial bins from streets, which was effective both in reducing food sources and in improving the city centre experience. We will work with local authorities to develop public awareness campaigns that encourage responsible waste disposal and discourage the feeding of gulls.
We also heard at the summit about the ways in which we can deter gulls from swooping, using creative but effective methods of putting them off takeaway boxes and building confidence among the public when people are out and about. We will be working with local communities to raise awareness of that.
Licensing is an essential part of managing the problem. During the summit, we discussed the licensing regime that is administered by NatureScot. I recognise the frustrations that have been voiced by communities and elected members about its complexity and inconsistency. I have raised those concerns directly with NatureScot, and I expect to see improvements in clarity, responsiveness and practical guidance. Licences for gull control will be issued where there is a demonstrable risk to public health and safety, where they can be issued within the legislation and with the practicality that we expect from a public body working on behalf of the Government and, ultimately, our constituents. NatureScot will be working to support licence applications earlier in the year, with a focus on licensing in the areas where health and safety needs are highest.
The key thing now is that we move forward constructively and at pace, with a shared commitment to finding solutions. I thank everyone who participated in the summit, and I invite members across the Parliament to engage with the work ahead in a similar collaborative way. A summary of the summit’s findings and next steps will be published shortly, and I will welcome input from all parties that is constructive and forward looking.
Gulls are part of Scotland’s natural heritage, but I know how serious the issues are that people are facing. Although gulls are, increasingly, part of our urban landscape, we must manage their presence responsibly and effectively. We must work together to find solutions that recognise the complexities around gull populations, and those solutions must work for the people who are living with the negative effects of gulls every day. With collaboration, evidence and community support, I believe that we can do just that.