Scottish Crofting Federation

SCF Head Office

Lochalsh Business Park
Auchtertyre
Kyle of Lochalsh
IV40 8EG
SCOTLAND

Tel: 01599 566 365
Fax: 01599 566 375

Geese and their consequences for Crofters

In recent years the problems associated with geese have been growing.
This problem is made worse now by the prevalence of non migratory species and the occurrence of feral geese which at one time were maintained as ornamental by large landowners.

The geese problems have generally been acknowledged across 4 sites in Scotland:

- Uist
- Solway Firth
- Strathbeg
- Islay

Whilst these “schemes” can claim some success in management they are constantly under pressure from a financial perspective.

As the geese population spreads this will only get worse.
We need long term solutions to the goose problem and not Ad Hoc schemes which will come and go and the damage will continue.
Recent damage in Lochaber saw a concerted effort to count the geese and a good response was recorded by SNH at Fort William.
Some shooting is taking place .
Another effort at a count will be made in Feb 09.
SNH have acknowledged that the geese are feral and need to be dealt with.

Please read the papers below and ones to note are:

Cryposporidium in geese – no conclusive evidence of danger to human or animal health.

E-Coli O157 in beef suckler cows – research conducted by SAC which demonstrates pretty damning evidence of the incidence of E-Coli when wild geese are present around beef sucklers – especially if the cows are housed.

The other papers all give general updates on past and some present activity but more importantly we need the count evidence from Lochaber so as to press the case for multiple out of season licences to deal with current feral population of Canada Geese.

If any of this research is relevant to your area and if you are having problems with geese and forage/feed contamination please get in touch with your local SCF contact.

You can also add your comments in the forum .