Chamber
Plenary, 30 Oct 2008
30 Oct 2008 · S3 · Plenary
Item of business
Non-native Invasive Species
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 be judged to fulfil the definition, in the introduction to the framework strategy of an invasive species that is benign—and perhaps even one that contributes to our natural heritage. That is for others to judge; perhaps they have already done so.
If all non-native species had been banned from these shores in the past, we would not now be going home to a fish supper or eating potato crisps. The potato was brought back to the British isles by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 16th century. True, he also introduced us to tobacco, but fortunately that deadly import cannot be grown in this country.
The truth is that, for every benign import, there are a few that can cause incalculable harm to our countryside, our pockets, and even our way of life. Many have already been mentioned. I note in passing that all the specimens of Japanese knotweed in this country are female, but I make no comment further than that. Although at first a seemingly attractive newcomer to the garden, it spreads relentlessly and is extremely difficult to eradicate. In Scotland, we have so far been spared colonial sea squirt, but leathery sea squirt from Korea threatens our shores. On land, the Hottentot fig threatens some of our most sensitive coastal areas.
As Peter Peacock has said, in some areas of the Highlands such as the Ardnamurchan peninsula, we are all too familiar with the onward march of the non-native rhododendron. Even the Canada goose is an unwelcome invader to our country, flattening fields and squashing the nests of other birds—although, in true British fashion, we bemoan its presence while giving it, its nests and its eggs legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
It is for those reasons that I welcome the announcement of the framework strategy. A lead co-ordinating organisation—mandated to assess risk, monitor events, educate and inform—can only be for the good.
Yet will it be enough? Past experience of listening to speeches in this chamber has warned me against resorting to nursery stories, but I cannot help but think of the fable of the mice who decided that the best way to guard against the cat catching them unawares would be to tie a bell around its neck. This seemed a good idea at the time, but soon it dawned on the mice that the major problem would be tying on the bell in the first place. Similarly, although I support all the good intentions in the framework document, they may be difficult to put into practice.
In the past, species were often imported by well-intentioned world travellers, but few out of our total population were wealthy enough to fall into that category and so the risks were, to a degree, limited. However, international travel is commonplace today, with cheap flights bringing most areas of the world within reach of large sections of the population. The speed of travel means that seeds, for example, can be imported into this country on shoes or clothes without the bearer even being aware of the fact.
Another factor is ignorance of the risks attached to importing non-native species or cheerfully helping them to spread. I recall with embarrassment being pleased at the first specimen of Japanese knotweed that appeared in my garden. I was totally unaware of the dangers that it presented and I rather admired its appearance. If we are to combat successfully the threat presented by some non-native species, we need a massive public education programme. At present, the public is, as I was, sadly underinformed. A campaign needs to be aimed at the population at large and not just, as illustrated in the document, at people coming home from foreign holidays. It is not unknown for keen gardeners to take cuttings from exotic plants when on holiday and to pack them into hold baggage so that the cuttings are not even available for discarding at the airport terminal on arrival back in UK, even if the gardeners are impressed by publicity material at that point. Furthermore, good intentions can soon evaporate when cases are unpacked.
What we need is a massive campaign, with posters everywhere, of the most dangerous visitors or potential visitors to our shores, so that the traveller knows in advance of the risks and can guard against them. Schools should be informed in a similar way.
I remember, as a child, seeing photographs of the Colorado beetle everywhere, with captions pointing out how anyone who saw such a beetle should immediately report its presence to the authorities. I had no idea what danger it presented, but I am certain that, had I ever seen such a creature, I would have known exactly what to do. I see very few such warnings about any invasive non-native species today, and I argue that an intensive campaign is needed.
I support the composite motion and wish it every success.
If all non-native species had been banned from these shores in the past, we would not now be going home to a fish supper or eating potato crisps. The potato was brought back to the British isles by Sir Walter Raleigh in the 16th century. True, he also introduced us to tobacco, but fortunately that deadly import cannot be grown in this country.
The truth is that, for every benign import, there are a few that can cause incalculable harm to our countryside, our pockets, and even our way of life. Many have already been mentioned. I note in passing that all the specimens of Japanese knotweed in this country are female, but I make no comment further than that. Although at first a seemingly attractive newcomer to the garden, it spreads relentlessly and is extremely difficult to eradicate. In Scotland, we have so far been spared colonial sea squirt, but leathery sea squirt from Korea threatens our shores. On land, the Hottentot fig threatens some of our most sensitive coastal areas.
As Peter Peacock has said, in some areas of the Highlands such as the Ardnamurchan peninsula, we are all too familiar with the onward march of the non-native rhododendron. Even the Canada goose is an unwelcome invader to our country, flattening fields and squashing the nests of other birds—although, in true British fashion, we bemoan its presence while giving it, its nests and its eggs legal protection under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981.
It is for those reasons that I welcome the announcement of the framework strategy. A lead co-ordinating organisation—mandated to assess risk, monitor events, educate and inform—can only be for the good.
Yet will it be enough? Past experience of listening to speeches in this chamber has warned me against resorting to nursery stories, but I cannot help but think of the fable of the mice who decided that the best way to guard against the cat catching them unawares would be to tie a bell around its neck. This seemed a good idea at the time, but soon it dawned on the mice that the major problem would be tying on the bell in the first place. Similarly, although I support all the good intentions in the framework document, they may be difficult to put into practice.
In the past, species were often imported by well-intentioned world travellers, but few out of our total population were wealthy enough to fall into that category and so the risks were, to a degree, limited. However, international travel is commonplace today, with cheap flights bringing most areas of the world within reach of large sections of the population. The speed of travel means that seeds, for example, can be imported into this country on shoes or clothes without the bearer even being aware of the fact.
Another factor is ignorance of the risks attached to importing non-native species or cheerfully helping them to spread. I recall with embarrassment being pleased at the first specimen of Japanese knotweed that appeared in my garden. I was totally unaware of the dangers that it presented and I rather admired its appearance. If we are to combat successfully the threat presented by some non-native species, we need a massive public education programme. At present, the public is, as I was, sadly underinformed. A campaign needs to be aimed at the population at large and not just, as illustrated in the document, at people coming home from foreign holidays. It is not unknown for keen gardeners to take cuttings from exotic plants when on holiday and to pack them into hold baggage so that the cuttings are not even available for discarding at the airport terminal on arrival back in UK, even if the gardeners are impressed by publicity material at that point. Furthermore, good intentions can soon evaporate when cases are unpacked.
What we need is a massive campaign, with posters everywhere, of the most dangerous visitors or potential visitors to our shores, so that the traveller knows in advance of the risks and can guard against them. Schools should be informed in a similar way.
I remember, as a child, seeing photographs of the Colorado beetle everywhere, with captions pointing out how anyone who saw such a beetle should immediately report its presence to the authorities. I had no idea what danger it presented, but I am certain that, had I ever seen such a creature, I would have known exactly what to do. I see very few such warnings about any invasive non-native species today, and I argue that an intensive campaign is needed.
I support the composite motion and wish it every success.
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...