Emma Harper MSP has held the first of five local livestock worrying stakeholder engagement meetings as the MSP looks to engage her constituents in the South Scotland region with the issue.
The first meeting was held on Thursday night (12th July) at the King’s Arms Hotel in Castle Douglas, with others to follow in Ayr, Stranraer, Dumfries and Moffat.
In attendance at the Castle Douglas meeting was Rupert Shaw, the Chairman of Dumfries & Galloway NFUS (National Farmers’ Union Scotland).
Commenting Emma Harper MSP said:
“I was delighted to get my first public stakeholder meeting underway and look forward to engaging with more people across the South Scotland region to listen to their views on this serious issue.
“NFU Scotland have been strong campaigners for livestock worrying legislation to be improved so I was pleased that Rupert Shaw was able to attend the first meeting and to make some important points on behalf of farmers in Dumfries & Galloway.
“Livestock worrying is estimated to cost the rural economy around £1.3m a year – and that’s only the cases that have been reported – so we must work together to ensure the livelihood of farmers is protected when people are accessing Scotland’s beautiful countryside with their dogs.
“I would encourage anyone with an interest in this issue – particularly dog owners and livestock farmers – to attend our upcoming stakeholder meetings in the South Scotland region and make their voice heard.”
Rupert Shaw said:
“NFUS welcomes Emma’s Members’ Bill to address the often devastating results of irresponsible dog ownership on farm livestock.
“Current legislation neither acts as a deterrent nor recognises the emotional investment by farmers in the care of stock additional to market value.
“We support responsible access to the countryside and want the small number of irresponsible dog owners to face appropriate penalties.”
