SNH told to think again. This time about hedgehogs

29 January 2003
SNH told to think again
This time about hedgehogs
As previously indicated on Land-Care (1) the British Hedgehog
Preservation Society lodged an appeal to the Scottish Parliament to
allow them to relocate hedgehogs living on the islands of Uist as
opposed to a cull proposed by SNH.

The Petitions Committee met with commendable promptness on 28 January
2003. The outcome of the meeting was that SNH was urged to assist in
the development and trial of a hedgehog relocation programme, and to
keep the committee informed.

The minutes of the meeting for item PE581 is available below, and on
the Scottish Parliament website at:
www.scottish.parliament.uk/official_report/cttee/petit-03/pumop0128.htm

Land-Care understands that the estimated cost for culling 5,000
hedgehogs by lethal injection is £80,000 (The Dundee Courier,
29/01/03).



Extract of Public petitions Committee Meeting
2nd Meeting, 2003 (Session 1)
Tuesday 28th January 2003
Present:

Helen Eadie (Deputy Convener)
Dorothy-Grace Elder
Phil Gallie
Rhoda Grant
John McAllion
John Farquhar Munro
Apologies were received from Winnie Ewing.

The meeting opened at 10.07am.

1. Consideration of new petitions: Members considered and agreed
action on the following new petitions:

PE581 Petition by Fiona Stewart calling for the Scottish Parliament to
take the necessary steps to enable the British Hedgehog Preservation
Society (BHPS) to relocate or at least complete a trial relocation of
hedgehogs living on the islands of Uist as opposed to a proposed cull.

The Committee took evidence from:

Mr Michael Scott, Deputy Chairman, Scottish Natural Heritage
Dr Jeff Watson, Director of Strategy and Operations (North), Scottish
Natural Heritage
Ms Susan Davies, Head of Habitats and Species Unit, Scottish Natural
Heritage

The Committee agreed to write formally to Scottish Natural Heritage,
urging it to meet the petitioners and similar groups with a view to
assisting in the development and trial of a hedgehog relocation
programme, by providing the necessary scientific advice and support.
It was also agreed that Scottish Natural Heritage should be asked to
update the Committee on the outcomes of this meeting as soon as it has
taken place.



References
1. Editorial. Hedgehogs on Uist - SNH in More Trouble. Petition to the
Scottish Parliament.
(Filed 27 January 2003, www.land-care.org.uk,

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So, you dont like reasoned,
well thought out, civil debate?

I understand.

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