Chamber
Plenary, 30 Oct 2008
30 Oct 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Non-native Invasive Species
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 iad ro thràth ga mo thiodhlacadh. I am paraphrasing the great quote from Mark Twain that
"Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated."
I imagine that that is of little interest to the chamber, but I am sure that it is understood on the Government benches.
Like other members, I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the problem of non-native invasive species. Although I am aware that Skye has an increasing problem with Japanese knotweed, about which we have heard a great deal this afternoon, the real reason for my interest in the debate is that I wish to speak on behalf of the crofters of Wester Ross and other areas on the west coast—Jamie McGrigor mentioned the people up in Poolewe. Crofters in Wester Ross have suffered substantial financial losses as a result of the introduction of the white-tailed eagle from Norway.
It may be of interest to members that the last Scottish sea eagles were shot on Skye during the First World War. They were eradicated because they had become a menace to crofters, whose sheep and food were in short supply at the time. In my view, when a species has died out in an area, it has died out for good. The example of the sea eagle is one of caution for those members who are seeking to introduce the wolf, the lynx and the bear to remote parts of Scotland. Introducing species that are related to those that were once native to the British isles is a gross mistake.
No crofter near Gairloch would deny that the introduced—or reintroduced, as people say—eagles are invasive. Similar problems have been experienced with the introduction of the goshawk. According to the scientists who study birds, it is the same species as, or a similar one to, the extinct British goshawk. However, it is of an entirely different temperament and is far more aggressive. I do not know why that should be, but the experts will probably have a reason for it.
What concerns me about the introduction of those top predators—and there are many of them—is the effect that they have on the food chain beneath them. Although the RSPB seems concerned about the introduced sea eagle, goshawk and capercaille, to mention only a few, it seems to show little concern for small hedgerow birds and other wildlife.
I make it clear that I do not blame the eagles in any way—they are only doing what comes naturally—I blame and take issue with the misguided individuals who introduced them in the first place. I do not deny that the introduction of the white-tailed eagle from Norway has benefited tourism in some small way, but it is really starting to interfere with crofters' livelihoods.
"Reports of my demise are greatly exaggerated."
I imagine that that is of little interest to the chamber, but I am sure that it is understood on the Government benches.
Like other members, I am delighted to have the opportunity to address the problem of non-native invasive species. Although I am aware that Skye has an increasing problem with Japanese knotweed, about which we have heard a great deal this afternoon, the real reason for my interest in the debate is that I wish to speak on behalf of the crofters of Wester Ross and other areas on the west coast—Jamie McGrigor mentioned the people up in Poolewe. Crofters in Wester Ross have suffered substantial financial losses as a result of the introduction of the white-tailed eagle from Norway.
It may be of interest to members that the last Scottish sea eagles were shot on Skye during the First World War. They were eradicated because they had become a menace to crofters, whose sheep and food were in short supply at the time. In my view, when a species has died out in an area, it has died out for good. The example of the sea eagle is one of caution for those members who are seeking to introduce the wolf, the lynx and the bear to remote parts of Scotland. Introducing species that are related to those that were once native to the British isles is a gross mistake.
No crofter near Gairloch would deny that the introduced—or reintroduced, as people say—eagles are invasive. Similar problems have been experienced with the introduction of the goshawk. According to the scientists who study birds, it is the same species as, or a similar one to, the extinct British goshawk. However, it is of an entirely different temperament and is far more aggressive. I do not know why that should be, but the experts will probably have a reason for it.
What concerns me about the introduction of those top predators—and there are many of them—is the effect that they have on the food chain beneath them. Although the RSPB seems concerned about the introduced sea eagle, goshawk and capercaille, to mention only a few, it seems to show little concern for small hedgerow birds and other wildlife.
I make it clear that I do not blame the eagles in any way—they are only doing what comes naturally—I blame and take issue with the misguided individuals who introduced them in the first place. I do not deny that the introduction of the white-tailed eagle from Norway has benefited tourism in some small way, but it is really starting to interfere with crofters' livelihoods.
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...