Committee
Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee 10 December 2025
10 Dec 2025 · S6 · Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee
Item of business
New Petitions
Gulls (Removal of Protected Status) (PE2189)
I am. I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that the Scottish Government does not support the removal of legal protected status for gulls given declining gull populations; the Scottish Government has indicated that NatureScot’s work to support licence applications for gull control will focus on areas where health and safety needs are highest; and that projects such as the gull management pilot led by Highland Council and NatureScot will inform future national best practice in this area.
In the same item of business
The Convener
Con
That brings us to our two final new petitions. PE2189, which has been lodged by Ian Boyles, calls on the Scottish Government to remove legal protected status...
David Torrance
SNP
I am. I wonder whether the committee would consider closing the petition under rule 15.7 of standing orders on the basis that the Scottish Government does no...
The Convener
Con
I thank Mr Torrance for that proposal. I would be most interested to know how NatureScot defines the areas where health and safety needs are highest.
Maurice Golden
Con
I agree with Mr Torrance, but I think that it is worth putting on the record first that the aim of the petition is to reduce gull numbers in residential area...
The Convener
Con
Yes. We have no option but to close the petition, given the Scottish Government response. I hope that it can be resubmitted. The issue seemed to attract some...