Scottish MPs raise fears of people being killed by seagulls amid spate of attacks

Straits Times

16 hours ago

An MP said aggressive seagull behaviour is a real concern for many, including businesses and tourists. PHOTO: UNSPLASH
Scottish MPs raise fears of people being killed by seagulls amid spate of attacks
The Scottish government has said a seagull summit will be held to discuss ways to tackle the birds' aggressive behaviour, amid reports of multiple attacks on people and warnings that someone could be killed, the British media reported.
A politician has even called for the abolition of a nature agency, which is responsible for the control and conservation of the birds, because of its conflict of interest.
In a debate in the Scottish Parliament on June 26, MP Rachael Hamilton said Scots have been left 'scared, attacked and traumatised' by the seagulls' actions.
She said 'aggressive' seagulls had attacked seven children within one month in 2025 in the town of Eyemouth alone, leaving a girl with injuries to the scalp and 'blood running down her face', The Scotsman newspaper reported.
'Aggressive seagull behaviour continues to cause a real concern amongst businesses, amongst tourists, amongst everybody that has anything to do along the harbour,' she said, referring to Eyemouth which is located in her constituency.
'And it is not just a seasonal nuisance. It is a serious, growing health risk. It's a safety risk, particularly for children and elderly residents.'
Another MP, Mr Douglas Ross, warmed that people are at risk of losing their lives over the 'growing problem' of 'nuisance' gulls.
He said while others would often 'smirk' when hearing that the Scottish Parliament is discussing the problems around gulls, the reality is that the birds' attack on people is an 'extremely serious issue'.
He said voters in this Moray constituency have expressed worries of leaving their homes for fear of being 'divebombed', reported Sky News.
Others, he said, suffered from lack of sleep and other health issues due to the noise caused by the birds.
Mr Ross also blamed Scotland's nature agency NatureScot of having a conflict of interest.
He pointed out the agency is responsible for both the licensing to control birds and the conservation of avians.
'The time has come to break up NatureScot. There is a clear conflict of interest in the fact they are responsible for considering licences to control gulls but are also responsible for protecting bird numbers,' said Mr Ross, adding that the government should take prompt action before someone was killed by a gull attack.
Describing the issue as 'deadly serious', Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie promised to hold a seagull summit in the north of Scotland.
He attributed the birds' behaviour to people feeding them, and called on people to stop doing so.
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