Petitioner: James A Mackie on behalf of Innes Community Council
Status:
Closed
Date Lodged:
27 November 2015
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to amend the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Act 2011 to include statutory powers enforced by penalties to force land owners/tenants to destroy invasive non-native species that grow on their lands.
Summary:
15 December 2015: The Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Government, Scottish Natural Heritage, the Scottish Environment Protection Agency, RSPB Scotland and the Scottish Wildlife Trust. Link to Official Report 15 December 2015
23 February 2016: The Committee agreed to include the petition in its legacy paper for consideration by the Session 5 Public Petitions Committee. In doing so, the Committee agreed to write to the Scottish Environment Protection Agency. Link to Official Report 23 February 2016
29 September 2016: The Committee agreed to close the petition under Rule 15.7 of Standing Orders on the basis that existing legislation provides adequate powers to address the issue raised by the petition and that stakeholders supported a coordinated approach to invasive non-native species management. Link to Official Report 29 September 2016
Written Submissions:
The spread of invasive non-native species is having a serious impact on Rural Scotland. These INNS are noxious and destroying our countryside. They choke out native species thus reducing the beauty of the countryside as well as having a negative impact on insects, birds and wild animals. By their method of smothering all other fauna they are part of the cause of an increase in river bank erosion leading to other major environmental, economic and social problems. In the aquatic environment INNS are having a major and dramatic adverse impact on native species of plants, fish and invertebrates. Land owners should be legally liable to control these INNS without recourse to public funds in the way of grants. The land owners could still use volunteer labour where such agreements can be made but they must be responsible for all costs and training. If tighter controls against landowners were in place, the problem would recede quickly and permanently.