The National Farmers’ Union of Scotland (NFUS) has said that any proposals to reintroduce lynxes are “wholly unacceptable” to Scottish farmers and crofters.
The union has called for the Scottish government to make a clear statement rejecting such proposals permanently, following the Lynx to Scotland event in Holyrood yesterday (Tuesday, April 25).
NFUS president Martin Kennedy said the union remains crystal clear on its views in relation to the reintroduction of “predators” like lynxes, wolves and bears.
“The past few years have seen a long line of brazen and presumptuous claims from organisations about the imminent reintroduction of predators to the UK, causing considerable angst and anxiety to those who keep livestock in Scotland,” he said.
“The only application in the UK to date, to reintroduce lynx to Kielder in the north of England, was rejected by the UK government.”
On the Kielder Forest Project to release lynxes in England, the Scottish government has previously said that, if it went ahead, “the lynx would be likely to cross into Scotland and Defra (the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has agreed that Scottish views need to be taken into account”.
“We will ensure that Defra knows that Scottish farmers are very concerned about the risks to their livestock from this project.”
Rewilding
The Lynx to Scotland event was organised by rewilding charities, sponsored by Ariane Burgess MSP and hosted by project partners SCOTLAND: The Big Picture (SBP), Trees for Life and the Lifescape Project.
The motion calls on the Scottish government to rectify lynx extinction in Scotland by a managed reintroduction, following appropriate assessments.
It said there was a moral and ecological case for the species’ return, and that lynx reintroduction could make Scotland’s natural world “richer and stronger”.
Executive director of SBP, Peter Cairns, said: “It’s good news that politicians and policymakers are now seriously discussing the return of lynx, which would have strong public support.
“Scotland is one of the poorest places on Earth for nature, and if we are serious about tackling the nature and climate emergencies, these conversations really matter.”
Chief executive of Trees for Life, Steve Micklewright, said Scotland could become the world’s first rewilding nation, but is still one of Europe’s only countries “lacking large predators”.
“The support or acceptance of the land management community for a well-considered, carefully managed lynx reintroduction would help deliver on commitments to restore 30% of nature by 2030,” he said.
