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The introduction of sea eagles
to the coasts of Scotland
Kirsty MacLeod
Ardlarach, Letterfinlay, Spean Bridge, Inverness-shire
PH34 4DZ
e-mail : kirsty.macleod2@ukonline.co.uk
Filed 05 Nov 06
©www.land-care.org.uk
The anger of some crofters in Skye about the predation
of their lambs by sea eagles and the funding being offered by Scottish
Natural Heritage (SNH) was recently reported in the Oban Times (1).
Given the damage being inflicted on incomes and the fact that such
problems have been documented on Mull for over 20 years, is it not
incredible that SNH has granted the Royal Society for the Protection
of Birds a licence to introduce another 100 sea eagles from Norway
onto the east coast of Scotland? I understand from friends in Norway
that this "re-introduction" programme would have commenced
this year had it not been for the discovery of avian flu in Fife.
If true, one has to wonder at the scientific, legal and ethical
justifications for this move.
SNH declare that "state aid rules prevent SNH from paying compensation".
Thereby hangs a long tale but how is SNH prevented from paying out
realistic and fair levels of "positive" support?
It would also be useful to know on what basis individuals likely
to be affected can negotiate if the concept of compensation has
been removed?
Once again we see with what ease and secrecy the RSPB gets what
it wants for the environment of Scotland, unlike the people on the
ground who have to live with the consequences of RSPB lobbying and
who are expected to haggle with SNH over valuations for their stock
losses.
I wonder if the RSPB had the same struggle
to extract taxpayers' money from SNH for "monitoring of Scotland's
sea eagle population"? This selfless act of scientific and
technical support earned them £25,225 in 2004/5 according
to SNH's accounts for the year ending March 2005. That is more than
the total pay-out to farmers on Mull under their sea eagle scheme
during the same year and more than is now being offered to the Skye
crofters.
Perhaps SNH should be less concerned with state aid rules and more
concerned with conflict of interest payments.
©www.land-care.org.uk
References
1. Article (2006). Skye
sheep stock under threat from sea eagle scheme say island crofters.
Oban Times: 2nd Nov 2006
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