Barnacle cull begins

For the first time in almost 20 years, authorities in Scotland have granted permission for a Solway Firth farmer to cull barnacle geese.

The licence was granted by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to Brian Byers, the owner of Ladyhall Farm near Dumfries, where the black-and-white birds have caused extensive damage to undersown barley.

Mr Byers?s application to cull the birds last year failed, but he has now been granted a licence to shoot 20 birds, and is hoping the number will be increased.

He said: ?I asked for financial compensation, but they [SNH] said there weren?t any funds available. I?d prefer to let the geese graze, but I have to make a living.

The rest of this article appears in the 21st November issue of Shooting Times.

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