Scotland needs new approach to deal with feral pigs, report says

Scotland needs new approach to deal with feral pigs, report says 56 minutes ago Share Save Steven McKenzie Highlands and Islands reporter Share Save Researchers say Scotland needs to take a new approach to managing its "expanding" populations of feral pigs. The animals include escapees from farms and pigs illegally released into the wild, with the largest numbers found in the Highlands and Dumfries and Galloway. A report by King's College London and Czech Academy of Sciences suggests the current policy is "fragmented" and has led to tensions between landowners who view them as an "unruly nuisance" and those who want the pigs left to roam free. The Scottish government said it was continuing to assess whether further coordination or monitoring measures are needed. Why were the Cairngorms feral pigs killed? New monitoring for disease risk among feral pigs Under current policy, individual land managers are primarily responsible for controlling feral pig populations, and should work in partnership with local communities. Where feral pigs are present, land managers are encouraged to control their numbers to manage their impacts on agriculture and the environment. They are not a protected species and they can be shot. NatureScot and Forestry and Land Scotland have best practice advice on controlling the pigs . This includes trapping and shooting them. Disease risk But the researchers said a national forum should be established bringing together all sides of the debate on what should be done with the animals. They also claimed improved monitoring and "strengthened biosecurity" is needed to prevent any potential spread of disease from feral pigs to domestic animals, They said their report highlighted tensions between Scotland's rewilding ambitions and concerns over agricultural damage and potential disease risk. The researchers described current governance arrangements as "fragmented and reactive". Their report drew on research done in the Highlands' Great Glen and continent...