§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what advice he has received from Scottish Natural Heritage in respect of applications for licences for the killing of barnacle geese on the Island of Islay; and if licences will be issued for land within areas designated as special protection areas under EU Directive 79/409/EEC. [61700]
§ Mr. MacdonaldAdvice has been given by Scottish Natural Heritage on the likely effect of limited licences to shoot barnacle geese in specified areas on Islay. Two licences to prevent serious agricultural damage have been issued for a limited period where no other satisfactory solution was available. These licences allow a maximum of 50 barnacle geese to be shot in areas designated as Special Protection Areas under EU Directive 74/409/EEC. The effect of the licensed shooting on the farms and the goose populations will be carefully monitored, and the results will be taken into account before any further licences are issued to farmers on Islay.
§ Mr. WelshTo ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what recommendations he has received from the National Goose Forum relating to geese on Islay. [61701]
§ Mr. MacdonaldNone. The National Goose Forum is not due to report on a national policy framework for managing potential conflicts between geese and agriculture until Summer 1999.