Craig Hoy, MSP for South Scotland and Scottish Conservative candidate for Dumfriesshire, has raised the concerns of locals regarding seagulls in the Scottish Parliament.
Mr Hoy spoke in colleague Douglas Ross’s debate about the menace of seagulls throughout Scotland.
Speaking in the debate, Mr Hoy said: “Dumfries and Galloway Council is spending its full £84,000 in gull control measures in 2023-24. Investing in nest removal, gull proof bins and deterrents on buildings. But still, these are not working and I think this serves to show just how serious the issue is and how much Nature Scot must listen to local communities because these council budgets are now being fully utilised.”
Craig is urging NatureScot to issue more licences, to a pre-2023 level to allow more control of gulls.
Speaking after the debate Craig said: “Today’s gulls are larger and more aggressive than before due to more fast food for them to eat. It is down to the Scottish Government and Nature Scot to sort this problem.
“Residents shouldn’t have to live in fear of being attacked or change the way they walk because of nesting birds. Of course, gulls are a part of life by the sea but also inland, but they need to be managed so they don’t get out of control.”
