‘Don’t ignore rural workers’ protest

A Perth-based group representing gamekeepers has organised a major protest against the Scottish Government this week in response to growing concern ministers and officials are ignoring their knowledge and expertise when it comes to formulating rural policy.

The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) arranged this Friday’s online protest on behalf of rural workers they say are “suffering”as a result of policies affecting their work being drawn up on the back of campaigns enjoying popular support rather than through proper consultation with its members.

The group has recently raised concerns about new protections being afforded to mountain hares and moves to introduce a new licensing system for grouse shoots.

SGA chairman Alex Hogg was reported as saying over the weekend:“Rural workers are the engine room of the countryside.

“They are out every day, producing food, managing species and habitats. These are people who will come home knackered at night and who will spend family time at a computer with awful broadband to write an email to an MSP or invite them out to see issues first-hand.

“But the MSPs rarely leave the political bubble. Sometimes people aren’t even getting replies. Then bad law follows.

“The practical, hands-on knowledge is simply not there at Holyrood to ensure that the interests of rural workers are properly balanced. Rural workers have become marginalised by a centralised parliament which is more geared towards majority populations in cities, lobbyists, e-activist campaigns and rich NGOs.”

The SGA is inviting people to take part in its Rural Workers Protest 2021 this Friday through its website at www. scottishgamekeepers. co.uk and through its Facebook page.

The group intends to share all the views it gathers from rural workers about policy making in Scotland at the moment with the government at a later date.