Sheep industry supports Scottish Minister’s pledge against lynx release

The National Sheep Association said it supports Fergus Ewing's pledge against a lynx release
The National Sheep Association said it supports Fergus Ewing's pledge against a lynx release

The sheep industry has welcomed recent remarks from Scotland’s Rural Economy Secretary Fergus Ewing, who said lynx would be released in Scotland “over my dead body”.

Speaking at a recent agricultural conference, Mr Ewing said he could not support anything that would create further challenges or difficulties for the farming sector and made it clear he was opposed to the plans.

The National Sheep Association (NSA) has been vocal in its position against proposals which includes a license application from Lynx UK Trust to Natural England to release Eurasian lynx into Kielder Forest, Northumberland, in summer 2017.

The NSA said it holds concerns far wider reaching than just sheep losses.

’Stark words’

Phil Stocker, NSA Chief Executive, says the NSA has “warned for some time” of the dangers a unilateral decision on the proposed lynx release could bring.

“If it goes ahead and the lynx population expands in the way suggested by supporters, lynx could easily find their way across Great Britain’s borders,” Mr Stocker explained.

“NSA has received assurances from Natural England that it will work closely with Scottish Government in considering Lynx UK Trust’s application, but it feels this level of collaboration should incorporate formal approval from the relevant bodies in England, Scotland and Wales before any decision is reached.

“We welcome Mr Ewing’s stark words on the topic and hope the licence application will consider this firm rebuttal from Scotland.”

’Undermined’

Mr Stocker said that through their normal work, sheep farmers are “continually supporting” wildlife and grassland ecology.

He said this “valuable activity” could be “undermined” if a lynx release were to go ahead.

Mr Stocker added: “If sheep were taken out of landscapes like Kielder, the balance would be severely disrupted and our iconic countryside as we know it would be under severe threat.”