New bill aimed at tackling attacks on livestock to be debated at Holyrood

UPDATED legislation being taken forward by South Scotland SNP MSP Emma Harper, which seeks to address the increasing levels of livestock attacks across Scotland, is going to a debate in Holyrood today. Following the debate, Parliament will vote on the Stage 1 proceedings, indicating whether it support the Bill’s general principles.

The Member’s Bill has the backing of Scottish farmers and their representative bodies, as well as many other outdoor access interest groups. It will provide additional powers for the investigation and enforcement of the offence of livestock worrying and will increase the maximum penalties available to the courts. It also extends the definition of “livestock” to include additional types of farmed animal such as llamas, deer, and buffalo.

In Holyrood’s Rural Economy and Connectivity Committee report on the bill, the committee indicted its support for its general principles, subject to Ms Harper working with the Scottish Government on areas of potential change. Ms Harper has since met the Government’s Rural Affairs Minister and has agreed to several amendments to the bill at Stage 2.

These include amending the bill to include an affirmative procedure for regulations regarding the definition of livestock, an amendment to increase the maximum available penalty to 12 months imprisonment or a fine of £40,000, or both, which will be taken forward by the Scottish Government, and an amendment to remove provisions authorising inspecting bodies other than the police to carry out investigation.

Market round-up

Messrs Craig Wilson sold 528 prime hoggets at Newton Stewart yesterday. Quality sorts were easily cashed and sold to 265p for a pen of lightweight Texels and £119 for other Texels. Blackfaces sold to £113 and 250p for heavyweight tup hoggs. The overall average was 243p (-14p).

Cast sheep were a similar trade to last week peaking at £120 for a Suffolk ewe, while

Mules sold to £91 and Blackfaces to £75.

C & D Auctions sold 55 cattle at its weekly sale of primestock in Dumfries yesterday. Prime cattle sold to 244p/kg, while OTM’S peaked at £1,134 and 167p to average 131p for beef cattle. Dairy OTMS sold to £1,087 and 161p to average 109p.

The firm also sold 640 prime hoggs. Best sorts sold in excess of 250p but they were scarce.

Top prices were 272p/kg and £120 per head. There were 350 hoggs in the 39-45kg weight range that averaged 245p (-20p).

The trade for 309 cast sheep peaked at £146 for heavy Texels and £95 for Blackfaces.