Don't use 'value-laden language' against seagulls...it might 'demonise' them, claims veteran SNP MSP
An MSP called for seagulls not to be 'demonised' after the Scottish government announced a summit to address serious concerns about the birds attacking people.
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie confirmed the move in a debate on the issue of gulls swooping on the public raised by both former Conservative leader Douglas Ross and SNP grandee Fergus Ewing.
But the SNP's Christine Grahame said: 'Language such as 'mugging' and 'menace' can be applied to us, our counterparts, but it is not appropriate to demonise an animal simply looking for food.'
She claimed people should modify their own behaviour to tackle the problem and added: 'What we mustn't have is people versus gulls, or gulls versus people.'
Mr Ross, a Highlands and Islands Tory MSP, told the chamber he has been 'inundated' with concerns about gulls from constituents, including a couple in the village of Hopeman who were 'worried about going out of their home'.
Grahame, who has announced she will not stand in the 2026 Scottish parliament election, pointed members to a submission from the OneKind animal charity that urged them to avoid 'value-laden language' that described gulls as a 'menace or nuisance' and their behaviour as 'mugging' or 'dive-bombing'.
Highlands and Islands MSP Mr Ross said: 'Well, I will say these gulls are a menace, they are dive-bombing and they are a problem.'
Mr Ewing, who represents Inverness and Nairn, said a swooping gull could cause serious injury for an elderly person while their droppings can cause 'potentially lethal' illness in an infant.
The minister said: 'There is absolutely no doubt - we've heard from members right across the chamber - that the people are being injured, they are being attacked and this is something that we have to deal with.'
He said action needs to also be taken to find out if human behaviour is allowing gulls to 'thrive', including in urban areas as well as licences for dealing with the birds.
Mr Fairlie said: 'I've already said that I will convene a summit in Inverness and we will look at the entire issue.'
The power to hand out licenses to deal with birds is with NatureScot, a government-funded quango whose role includes conserving gull numbers as well as controlling them.
Mr Fairlie said that licences can only be issued if there is a clear health and safety concern and not because the birds are regarded as a menace or nuisance.
Mr Ewing asked if any analysis has been done by the Scottish Government or NatureScot about the health risks, and warned: 'I believe there has been no analysis whatsoever. If so, and there is a fatality, this Government will be held responsible for that fatality because they haven't looked into it.'
Mr Ross said: 'In typical nationalist fashion Jim Fairlie believes that another talking shop will solve all these issues when he could take action right now.'
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