Goats petition closed

MSPs have rejected a bid to grant protected status to wild goats roaming the Langholm Moor. The petition, signed by nearly 22,000 people, called on the parliament to help ensure the survival of primitive goat species on land between Langholm and Newcastleton At Wednesday’s Citizen Participation and Public Petitions Committee, convenor Jackson Carlaw MSP explained the group last considered the petition in September, and agreed to write the Scottish Government, the UK Joint Nature Conservation Council (JNCC), NatureScot and the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service. He said: “We are aware, both through written evidence and other correspondence, of the strength of feeling around how this issue affects the Langholm and Newcastleton goats in particular. “The response we received from the JNCC explains that its policy guidance states that species are only eligible for inclusion under legal protection if they are both native to Great Britain and endangered. “It states that feral goats are understood to be non native to the UK and, therefore, ineligible under current guidance.” Mr Carlaw added: “The Scottish Government reiterates that it has no plans to provide full legal protected status or increase regulatory protection for feral goats. “Because, in terms of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, they are considered to be outwith their native range in Scotland.” MSP Maurice Golden said: “I do find it utterly bizarre that we are protecting seagulls who attack humans and we are not protecting these lovely, cute goats. “However, unfortunately I believe the committee has no choice but to close the petition.” Mr Golden went on to explain that the petition had already been refused by another committee. In conclusion, Mr Carlaw said: “This won’t satisfy anybody locally, I don’t think. “This may be something that can be raised in other ways again. “What seemed like a widely supported view from people who represent the community locally has been set aside in favour of a rule book.” Vice-chair and secretary of the Trust, Gail Brown, said: “The 22,000 people that had signed the petition have been left wondering why the Scottish Parliament had encouraged them to have their say in Scottish politics and then simply ignored their concerns on a mere technicality. “Politicians are surely elected to do more than just the easy stuff? "Given that the ancient and much revered herd of wild goats is now left with no safeguards and is subject to continuing landowner culls."