Ramblers Scotland position statement on reintroductions - Alladale
Ramblers Scotland is supportive of Article 22 of the European Habitats Directive which allows for the reintroductions of native species.
However, the reintroduction of individual species requires proper studies to be made by the government, led by SNH. Our decision on whether to support these individual reintroductions will be based on the evidence of these studies. In response to a debate at Ramblers' Scottish Council in 2006, it was stated that while Ramblers Scotland would not actively campaign on the introduction or re-introduction of wild animals, we would respond to issues as they arose based on the evidence available. As a result, we previously expressed our support of the planned reintroduction of beavers into Scotland in a programme proposed by SNH.
Our concerns with the reintroductions on the Alladale estate are based on the fact that these various species will not be free-ranging animals but will be introduced within an enclosure. We are supportive of Mr Lister’s basic concept of re-wilding his estate, encouraging the growth of trees and shrubs by reducing grazing pressure, although our preference is for the regeneration to take place under natural processes, rather than re-planting of trees.
However, the fenced enclosure causes concern on two counts. Firstly, the landscape impacts of a 37-mile long electrified fence over 3-metres high are huge.Secondly, the access restrictions would be directly in opposition to the provisions of the Land Reform Act and there is a danger that the granting of permission to fence off the Alladale estate would set a precedent for other landowners to follow. Even if gates are to be included in the fence, there is no guarantee that these would be kept closed.
We believe there is the opportunity for dialogue with Mr Lister.Public interest in the reintroduction of various species has clearly been demonstrated, as seen by the high media profile enjoyed by this estate throughout the whole of the UK. We feel there is now a role for government, through SNH, to show leadership in taking further the discussions for a planned reintroduction of single species.
FAQs
1) Do people fear being attacked by wolves, bears and boars?
This is a key question - are the animals potentially dangerous to the public? There is a perception that these animals, bears and wolves, are dangerous, but evidence from the continent and elsewhere does not really support this view. For example, people go walking in central and eastern Europe where these animals live in the wild. There are boar running free in southern England, but evidence seems to show that they are more concerned about dogs, and not people just out walking.
2) What are your arguments about access, and why? Are there not lots of other places people could walk?
Our concerns lie with the original proposals to fence off the 23,000 acre estate with an electrified fence. This would be very much against the spirit of the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, that has recently established for Scotland some of the finest access legislation in Europe. We are concerned that such a large fenced area would not only keep the wild animals inside the reserve but would also prevent the public from accessing a large chunk of highland landscape that includes climbing crags and routes to hill tops, and the summit of Seana Bhraigh, possibly the most remote Munro of them all.Imagine yourself as a walker coming down off the hills, in a mist, tired, and being confronted with an electrified obstacle which would be difficult, if not impossible, to cross. Fences may have a role to play in certain land management situations, but we would expect walkers to be able to cross them without much difficulty, as recognised by the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Our worry is that this enclosure would be expanded in the future and could set a precedent in other areas for enclosing tracts of the highlands with electrified fences.
3) Is there a heightened sensitivity to land ownership issues in the Highlands given the history of the area?
Land ownership can be a sensitive issue in the highlands, but we are not actually dealing with ownership issues as such. Part One of the Land Reform Act and the Scottish Outdoor Access Code state the statutory access rights and responsibilities for people engaging in their recreational pursuits in the great outdoors, and the rights and responsibilities of land managers to enable them to do so, and it is this aspect of the legislation we don't want to see being eroded. If Mr Lister respects the spirit of the legislation and guidance then there really shouldn't be any problem.
4) What would the Ramblers prefer to happen at Alladale?
Regarding the reintroduction of wild animals, the question is not entirely one of safety, it's more a question of habitat suitability, being able to allow animals to take their place in the environment, interacting with other wildlife. There is also the question of provision of adequate compensation arrangements for livestock or crop losses. The Alladale plan is not a reintroduction of this type, it's basically a safari park.It may be an ecological step up from the likes of Kincraig and Blairdrummond, but it’s a zoopark all the same.
The fundamental ecological problem at Alladale, as in many parts of the Highlands, is excessive levels of grazing by red deer. We support Mr Lister's objective of restoring ecological health at Alladale, but believe this would be best achieved by culling sufficient red deer so that the population level over the estate as a whole is reduced down to a level that permits the natural regeneration of scrub and woody vegetation. Our vision would be to see all the small remnants of birch and willow scrub, which presently cling on to the cliff and stream sides, expand into the surrounding ground.We need sound deer management, with increased culling levels, not fences, to achieve this.
In fact, given that boar are now roaming freely in southern England, why do we even need an enclosure for them? If there is a desire to see the larger mammals in the natural environment, then boar could be part of a proper, scientifically-based reintroduction programme. As for safety, we need to ask ourselves if meeting a boar would be any more dangerous than coming across a large deer, or a large cow for that matter.
Reintroduction of wild animals to the Scottish countryside is in the end a political decision. This is evidenced by the decision in 2005 by the then Scottish Executive to reject the reintroduction of the European Beaver in forests in Argyll, due to concerns raised by landowners, despite the project having wide public appeal.If all sections of the public do not support the idea, then there is hardly likely to be much political support for it, no matter how scientifically robust the argument may be.
More on access issues at Alladale here.
