Chamber
Plenary, 15 Mar 2007
15 Mar 2007 · S2 · Plenary
Item of business
Red Deer (Rum)
There is no suggestion that SNH is refusing to use deer fences around plantations. It is avoiding them because of landscape impacts, hindrance to recreational access, interference with the movements of deer and logistical difficulties. I am happy to get SNH to write to Jamie McGrigor, but I am told that, because Rum is an island and because of its nature, it is particularly difficult to get equipment there and then around the island.
Rum is a wonderful place. It is host to a range of important plant species and to birdlife—and it is a refuge for red deer. In consideration of a future management plan, all those issues will have to be weighed up.
We have focused on deer tonight, but the points that Mark Ruskell made also have to be taken into account. There are many key features on Rum, which is why it was designated a protected island. There is birdlife; upland, coastal and aquatic habitats worthy of protection; special areas of conservation; sites of special scientific interest; and a range of species that are nationally scarce. Many issues of management of species and habitats arise. The deer have to be part of the discussion, but they are not the only issue that SNH has to consider.
The part of the motion that I very much agree with is that red deer are an asset and are iconic to Scotland. They are valued by all concerned. They will continue to be an integral part of Rum for years to come.
I invite colleagues to ensure that they are in dialogue with SNH. When the consultation on the management plan comes round, SNH will be willing to listen to people's comments. I hope that it will be a constructive process. SNH is willing to listen.
Rum is a wonderful place. It is host to a range of important plant species and to birdlife—and it is a refuge for red deer. In consideration of a future management plan, all those issues will have to be weighed up.
We have focused on deer tonight, but the points that Mark Ruskell made also have to be taken into account. There are many key features on Rum, which is why it was designated a protected island. There is birdlife; upland, coastal and aquatic habitats worthy of protection; special areas of conservation; sites of special scientific interest; and a range of species that are nationally scarce. Many issues of management of species and habitats arise. The deer have to be part of the discussion, but they are not the only issue that SNH has to consider.
The part of the motion that I very much agree with is that red deer are an asset and are iconic to Scotland. They are valued by all concerned. They will continue to be an integral part of Rum for years to come.
I invite colleagues to ensure that they are in dialogue with SNH. When the consultation on the management plan comes round, SNH will be willing to listen to people's comments. I hope that it will be a constructive process. SNH is willing to listen.
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.