Chamber
Plenary, 15 Mar 2007
15 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Red Deer (Rum)
I might take an intervention later.
Deer influence the composition and structure of vegetation. That has to be managed by those who are looking after the features on the island.
It is important to put it on record that SNH has to deliver effective management of Rum to meet a range of objectives. Notwithstanding Fergus Ewing's antipathy to SNH's involvement on Rum, that is its job. Surveys have shown that the national and European designated habitat features on the island are in an unfavourable condition because of trampling and overgrazing by deer. SNH has a statutory responsibility to avoid deterioration on the island. A small number of feral goats live on the island, but the Macaulay Institute research Fergus Ewing quoted is not relevant in this case because we know there is a problem to be addressed.
More detailed survey and monitoring work to assess the nature and scale of deer impacts is currently being discussed to inform the best way forward. That is where the suggestion of a reduction cull has come from. However, I want to repeat Andrew Thin's assurance that there will be no more than a maintenance cull this year.
SNH is in discussion with the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh about the management of the herds on Rum and about their scientific research. SNH will take their comments into account in its consultation.
I want to correct the suggestion that Jamie McGrigor and Fergus Ewing made, that the only reason there are discussions on plans to cull deer on Rum is to protect the trees that SNH has decided to plant without any protective fencing. The issue is much more complex. SNH is trying to protect a range of habitat features. The consultation on the management plan will have to look into all the issues.
I am told that SNH is planting trees without using deer fences because of the landscape impacts, the restrictions on the movements of deer, interference with public access, and the logistical difficulties with large-scale fencing operations. The latter is a particular problem on Rum, which has remote and difficult terrain.
Deer influence the composition and structure of vegetation. That has to be managed by those who are looking after the features on the island.
It is important to put it on record that SNH has to deliver effective management of Rum to meet a range of objectives. Notwithstanding Fergus Ewing's antipathy to SNH's involvement on Rum, that is its job. Surveys have shown that the national and European designated habitat features on the island are in an unfavourable condition because of trampling and overgrazing by deer. SNH has a statutory responsibility to avoid deterioration on the island. A small number of feral goats live on the island, but the Macaulay Institute research Fergus Ewing quoted is not relevant in this case because we know there is a problem to be addressed.
More detailed survey and monitoring work to assess the nature and scale of deer impacts is currently being discussed to inform the best way forward. That is where the suggestion of a reduction cull has come from. However, I want to repeat Andrew Thin's assurance that there will be no more than a maintenance cull this year.
SNH is in discussion with the University of Cambridge and the University of Edinburgh about the management of the herds on Rum and about their scientific research. SNH will take their comments into account in its consultation.
I want to correct the suggestion that Jamie McGrigor and Fergus Ewing made, that the only reason there are discussions on plans to cull deer on Rum is to protect the trees that SNH has decided to plant without any protective fencing. The issue is much more complex. SNH is trying to protect a range of habitat features. The consultation on the management plan will have to look into all the issues.
I am told that SNH is planting trees without using deer fences because of the landscape impacts, the restrictions on the movements of deer, interference with public access, and the logistical difficulties with large-scale fencing operations. The latter is a particular problem on Rum, which has remote and difficult terrain.
In the same item of business
The Deputy Presiding Officer (Murray Tosh):
Con
The final item of business today is a members' business debate on motion S2M-5492, in the name of Jamie McGrigor, on Rum's red deer. The debate will be concl...
Motion debated,
That the Parliament notes that the red deer is an iconic part of the image of Scotland; further notes that, because of its isolation, the red deer herd on Ru...
Mr Jamie McGrigor (Highlands and Islands) (Con):
Con
I am grateful to the BBC's "Landward" programme for alerting the public to the subject of this debate. The programme is a great champion and watchdog of rura...
Fergus Ewing (Inverness East, Nairn and Lochaber) (SNP):
SNP
The island of Rum contains one of the oldest-known sites of human habitation in Scotland and it was not so long ago that it had a population of well over 400...
John Farquhar Munro (Ross, Skye and Inverness West) (LD):
LD
As Jamie McGrigor said, the red deer on the island of Rum are a unique breed. Extensive culling of the deer population, as is proposed, would be a retrograde...
Mr Mark Ruskell (Mid Scotland and Fife) (Green):
Green
I thank Jamie McGrigor for bringing this topic to Parliament. I am sure that many of us have received e-mails and letters from people—not just from the Highl...
The Deputy Minister for Environment and Rural Development (Sarah Boyack):
Lab
I, too, congratulate Jamie McGrigor on securing this members' business debate. Given the wide public debate on and media interest in the matter, it is approp...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Will the minister give way?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
No. I confess that I was tempted to intervene on the member's speech but, at this point, I would rather keep going.I urge all colleagues to make their consti...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
With regard to the number of deer on Rum, Andrew Thin, in an e-mail to the Scottish Gamekeepers Association dated 25 May 2005, said that he was not sure why ...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I will come on to that. I spoke to Andrew Thin yesterday, so my information about SNH's current plans is up-to-date.I want to concentrate on why Rum was desi...
Mr McGrigor:
Con
Will the minister take an intervention?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I might take an intervention later.Deer influence the composition and structure of vegetation. That has to be managed by those who are looking after the feat...
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
No—
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
I am sorry. Fergus Ewing may disagree, but that is what I have been told.
Fergus Ewing:
SNP
Has Sarah Boyack ever been to Rum?
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Yes, I have been to Rum.
Mr McGrigor rose—
Con
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
Some additional tree planting will take place this year in line with the current management plan. That will be done in areas where deer density is currently ...
Mr McGrigor:
Con
Thank you. The terrain on Rum is no more difficult than lots of places on the mainland. There are several ways of building fences. There is conventional fenc...
Sarah Boyack:
Lab
There is no suggestion that SNH is refusing to use deer fences around plantations. It is avoiding them because of landscape impacts, hindrance to recreationa...
Meeting closed at 16:49.