Gamekeepers slam process for naming new national park
Gamekeepers have criticised the process for designating a new national park in scotland, insisting it is "laden with policy jargon that ordinary people can't understand".
The Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) said agriculture and private interests are underrepresented, while government bodies and environmental NGOS dominate.
Ministers have pledged to create at least one new national park by 2026.
The UK has 15 national parks but just two–Loch Lomond and The Trossachs and the Cairngorms–are located in scotland.
The SGA said the creation of new parks would likely have the greatest impact on people working the land for a living.
Writing in response to a consultation, the body said: “The question must be raised, if the Scottish Government and NatureScot genuinely wish to encourage an inclusive and wide-reaching response, why is the consultation process so inhibiting? The lack of representation by those that earn their living from the land and ordinary citizens is apparent.”
The SGA provided a breakdown of bodies and organisations that it said had featured in the principal discussions. it said agriculture and private interests comprised only 7 per cent, whilst environmental NGOS accounted for 25 per cent and government agencies 60 per cent.
The association said: “By proposing to accelerate the transition in land use to address climate and nature emergencies, effectively, it is local people and families who are impacted most. Therefore, regarding the statutory aims of national parks, there needs to be greater emphasis on respecting traditional land management practice and retaining existing employment.
“In designating new national parks in scotland, nature recoveryis placed high on the agenda. However, Scotland’s people are important too.”
A power-sharing agreement between the SNP and the Greens, published last year, said they would “designate at least one new national park” by the end of this parliamentary session, “provided relevant legal conditions can be met”.
It added: “This will support progressive development, address the climate emergency in the way we use our land, and improve public and community wellbeing. We will make funding available to support these ambitions.”
The two parties also agreed to “increase the amount of funding available to improve visitor facilities, safety measures and access opportunities, including in existing regional parks”.
A Naturescot spokeswoman said: “Naturescot led the new national park stakeholder consultation on behalf of the Scottish Government. The consultation was inclusive and welcomed online contributions from a range of interested parties to help define how a new national park will protect and restore nature, tackle climate change and promote sustainable land management in Scotland.
"We are anticipating around 1,000 online consultation responses from the land and marine managers, local authorities, commerce, regional and national conservation, planning and recreation bodies as well as from individuals and communities from across scotland .”