A conference addressing the issue of seagulls recommended that individuals draw eyes on takeaway containers to deter the birds, as they dislike being watched. It also suggested that people wave their arms while walking to avoid gull attacks.
SNP ministers faced criticism yesterday for their ‘chaotic and comical’ strategies in addressing public safety risks posed by urban gulls.
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie, who briefed the Scottish Parliament about the matter yesterday, acknowledged that some of the proposals from NatureScot’s officials were ‘ludicrous’.
The solutions were discussed at a summit held in NatureScot’s Inverness headquarters to discuss how to tackle the problem.
This comes in the wake of controversy surrounding a ‘sham’ summit, which excluded opposition politicians, the media, and numerous local groups. The situation led to the resignation of Parliamentary Business Minister Jamie Hepburn after allegations of physical assault and verbal abuse against former Scottish Conservative leader Douglas Ross emerged.
Following yesterday’s ministerial statement at Holyrood, Mr Ross said those who attended branded it ‘a frustrating waste of time’.
He stated: ‘Let me recount to the chamber some of these practical solutions proposed at the summit: to deter gulls, individuals walking along a high street should wave their arms to stop gulls from swooping. Literally, that was the advice given.’
‘And the minister mentioned about takeaway boxes and what can be done to stop the gulls going for takeaway boxes.
Tory MSP Douglas Ross demonstrates how people are forced to fend off gulls with their bare hands
Gulls are a growing menace across many of Scotland’s coastal towns
‘Additionally, the suggestion was to draw eyes on takeaway boxes as gulls fear being watched, so they wouldn’t swoop down if eyes were drawn on the box.’
‘I mean, it would be funny if it wasn’t so serious. It is utter nonsense and it is this chaotic and comical approach from this Government and its quango NatureScot that is actually detracting from this important issue.’
Mr Fairlie, who acknowledged in his statement that the concerns about the risk to public health are real, accused the ‘jokers’ on the Conservative benches of not taking the issue seriously.
He claimed only the people who ‘needed to be in the room’ were at the summit in order to avoid ‘grandstanding’ on the issue.
But he went on: ‘He is correct, there were some of the responses that came back from NatureScot that were ludicrous and I have now spoken to NatureScot and said we need to find practical solutions.
‘So when some of the scientific evidence was brought forward at the summit, yes they talked about googly eyes on takeaway boxes, yes they talked about waving their arms in order to distract birds, yes they also talked about staring at seagulls because seagulls do not like eye contact.’
During bad-tempered exchanges, Mr Fairlie accused the Tory MSPs of joking about the issue and demanded a serious discussion.
He said: ‘Clearly, not one of them understands the complexity of a bird’s brain, which is what we are talking about here.’
SNP MSP Christine Grahame said: ‘When this winter can’t afford food or heating, can this be the last time we use our valuable parliamentary time talking about gulls? It is making a mockery of this place.’
During his statement, Mr Fairlie said there are concerns about persistent noise, aggressive defending behaviour, damage to property and risks to public health.
He said: ‘These concerns are real, and I want to assure the chamber that they are being taken seriously and this government will take targeted action where necessary.’
He announced a series of ‘regional roundtable events’, making buildings less attractive to gulls, and planning conditions for food outlets to require effective waste management.
Mr Fairlie said: ‘We also heard at the summit about the ways in which we can deter gulls from swooping, from creative but effective methods of putting them off takeaway boxes to building confidence in the public when out and about, we’ll be working with local communities to raise awareness of this too.’
NatureScot was contacted for comment.
