Tuesday, 27 February 2007

Wildlife consultation panel to be established

United Future outdoor recreation spokesman Gordon Copeland today announced that as part of the Confidence and Supply Agreement with the Labour-led government a consultation panel will be established to look at recreational and environmental issues surrounding deer, chamois, tahr and pigs.

"United Future has worked tirelessly to have the status of these animals reviewed," said Mr Copeland.

"Deer, chamois, tahr and pigs lie in an uncomfortable statutory and policy position; while we have to consider their impact on indigenous biodiversity we must also take into consideration those whose recreational and traditional interests are associated with these animals.

"Today's announcement means a consultation panel of leading environmental, scientific and recreational experts will draw up a public consultation document. I encourage everyone who has an interest in these four species to put together a submission and make a contribution to their future management.

"This has been an issue for many decades, and while I am under no illusions as to the difficulty of the process, I am confident that in the end we will come up with a long-term, workable solution.

"I look forward to the formation of the panel and wish it every success in coming up with a suitable way forward in the management of these species," concluded Mr Copeland.

ENDS

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