Written Question · S2W-03637 · Session 2
When the best practice guidance for local authorities on how to tackle the problems associated with seagulls in urban areas will be finalis…
The question
To ask the Scottish Executive when the best practice guidance for local authorities on how to tackle the problems associated with seagulls in urban areas will be finalised; whether such guidance will be published; whether the guidance will be issued in sufficient time to enable local authorities to implement it prior to the next nesting season, and whether the guidance will include a recommendation that licences be sought and obtained by local authorities well in advance of the nesting season to allow them to take specific action to cull seagulls where there are reports that such seagulls are attacking humans or property and what the reasons are for its position on this matter, particularly with regard to the benefits resulting from the guidance.
The answer
Officials have already metwith a number of directors of environmental health from local authorities, todiscuss their current methods and best practices on dealing with this issue. Inaddition we are exploring potential research opportunities to assist indeveloping a range of solutions. The research will be completed in 2004 and islikely to lead to guidance from the Executive to local authorities on bestpractice. I expect this guidance note to be a public document.
Local authorities alreadyhave the powers, expertise and knowledge within their environmental healthresponsibilities to deal with the nuisance caused by seagulls and many havealready developed best practice guidance, which is freely available, to deal withtheir particular gull issues.
In relation to licensing,the research work into best practice will consider current licensingprovisions. All local authorities are annually already sent copies of Scottish Executive general licences which enable them to currently take action against GreatBlack-backed gulls, Lesser Black-backed gulls and Herring gulls under specifiedcircumstances. For all other gull species, individual licences can be soughtfrom the Scottish Executive and should be applied for before the start of thebreeding season.
This work is consistent withthe assurances given by me to the Parliament in the debate on seagull nuisanceheld on the 7 November 2002.
Local authorities alreadyhave the powers, expertise and knowledge within their environmental healthresponsibilities to deal with the nuisance caused by seagulls and many havealready developed best practice guidance, which is freely available, to deal withtheir particular gull issues.
In relation to licensing,the research work into best practice will consider current licensingprovisions. All local authorities are annually already sent copies of Scottish Executive general licences which enable them to currently take action against GreatBlack-backed gulls, Lesser Black-backed gulls and Herring gulls under specifiedcircumstances. For all other gull species, individual licences can be soughtfrom the Scottish Executive and should be applied for before the start of thebreeding season.
This work is consistent withthe assurances given by me to the Parliament in the debate on seagull nuisanceheld on the 7 November 2002.
In the Official Report
No contribution in the Official Report cites S2W-03637 by reference.