TWENTY-FIVE YEARS AGO Friday January 20, 1995

Goose steps pay off on Islay

Islay farmers and estate owners are looking at nest eggs of as much as £15,000 this year... thanks to the geese that they used to dread the sight of.

Under the government-funded Islay Voluntary Goose Movement Scheme, the farmers can this year expect cash windfalls – on average between £1,500 and £2,000 – just for letting the birds feed on their land.

The 35,000 geese are now worth £9.50 each – provided they are left alone when they are on the island. Officials from Scottish Natural Heritage are currently making counts every two weeks to work out averages on which payments are to be made.

The scheme is on a three-year trial period, designed to blend farming and conservation. The birds are protected under an EU directive.

And it may yet be introduced in Kintyre and other west coast areas. Talks are on-going between Scottish Natural Heritage and the National Farmers Union of Scotland.

Islay’s goose project officer Ross Lilley said: ‘Islay is the main location of the geese during October and April, hence the importance of this incentive scheme.

‘The majority of farmers are now involved, and the scheme is seen as the way forward.’

One island couple, Blair and Margaret Rozga of Kilmeny Farm near Port Askaig, say they are happy to participate.

‘It is good for me as we run a farmhouse bed and breakfast,’ Mrs Rozga told the Courier. ‘Having the geese helps me market the business, as visitors appreciate the environmentally-friendly scheme.

‘And on the farming side, my husband is happy. It’s a good scheme, although we would like to see the counting system manicured. It can be annoying if a count is made and there are fewer birds there than usual.’

The Rozgas have around 300 geese – which is worth more than £2,800 to them.

President of Islay branch of the NFU Ian McKerrell said: ‘We have to accept this as the way forward, and hopefully the scheme will be tidied up by the end of the year as a couple of refinements have to be made. Points will arise if goose numbers keep rising though.’