Fighting for the countryside in the halls of Holyrood

Director of the Scottish Countryside Alliance, Jake Swindells, gives an update on the fight for rural communities in the halls of Holyrood.

The SNP have made it clear that field sports will not be under the jurisdiction of the Scottish Greens. Whilst this is welcomed, it certainly doesn't stop a great deal of influence against the rural way of life in the halls of Holyrood. Pressure is constantly applied by the Greens and a number of parliamentary questions have been raised in relation to trapping, hunt meets, snaring and licenses. They may not be responsible for the legislating of fieldsports directly, but they are certainly doing their best to restrict those who actually do understand the countryside when it comes to wildlife management.

Mark Ruskell (SGP) seems only to raise issues that the likes of Wild Justice and the League Against Cruel Sports continually raise. In a recent statement relating to the closure of commercial Cod fishing in the Firth of Clyde (to allow stocks to recover), Mr Ruskell states "fisheries protection must be led by science". Whilst the attempt to allow stocks to recover is commendable, I find it astounding that the Greens can pick and choose which scientific and professional reports they take note of. It seems they only back those reports that suit their agenda.

Mairi McAllan (Minister for Environment and Land Reform) recently spoke about rural migration. In effect, looking at ways to attract migrants to the Scottish countryside to replenish the numbers leaving, owing to the lack of employment and opportunities. Whilst it is widely recognised that a percentage of rural jobs, such as farming and fishing, are undertaken by migrant workers, it is still disappointing that more support isn't considered to retain youngsters in rural communities in the first place.

This is a very important period as we await the forthcoming bill relating to hunting with dogs. Now is the time to make contact with your local MSP to enlighten them as to what countryside management really is and how our communities rely on it. It is very easy to leave this to others to do but if you value your sport, hobby, pastime or livelihood then you must act or risk losing it for good.