MSP adds support in battle to save goats

SOUTH MSP Craig Hoy has spoken out in support of a petition defending wild goats on Langholm moor.

He took up the issue at a Scottish Parliament petitions committee meeting on Wednesday where he backed calls for greater safeguards for the much-loved animals.

He also urged Oxygen Conservation, the company responsible for culling a number of goats earlier this year, to explore alternatives.

The MSP said: “The petition was signed by over 13,000 concerned citizens, which is, I believe, one of the largest ever groups to petition this parliament.

“The Langholm goats have grazed the hills peacefully and quietly, existed for generations without significant issues, with careful and sensitive management.

“In a rush to chase after maximum financial return we have seen those with outside interests seek to go too far and dramatically reduce the goat population for the wrong reasons.

“They did so without undertaking proper and meaningful community consultation. Worse still, alternatives such as fencing around tree planting or working more closely with neighbouring landholders, such as the Tarras Valley Nature Reserve, were not properly explored.

“Companies such as the natural capital landowner Oxygen Conservation should understand the need to work in partnership with communities, not against them. Where they don’t, Nature Scot and other bodies should not turn a blind eye. Sadly, in this case, it appears that Nature Scot are too remote and too bureaucratic.”

Mr Hoy went on to call for the committee to “urge the Scottish Government to grant protected status to this primitive goat species”.

Speaking afterwards, he said: “The SNP Scottish Government cannot ignore the strength of local feeling on this issue. It is vital they take these concerns into account and act to protect the goats on Langholm Moor.”