Goose Policy Delivery Plan 2025 – 2030

Key benefits – links to Scottish Government policy outcomes and objectives

a. Rural economy

Scottish Government seeks to encourage a diverse and sustainable agriculture sector; a key consideration being how farmers are encouraged to embrace greater diversity in use of their land. In some locations geese can make a significant contribution to rural tourism, through birdwatching and sport shooting activities, often out with regular tourism periods. Farmers supporting goose populations could develop opportunities to connect people with nature such as fostering nature-based tourism or supporting hunting. Identifying and acting on the key barriers to this approach are essential.

b. Biodiversity

Scotland’s nature will be protected and enhanced and recognised as a key asset for the health and wellbeing of our country. We remain committed to safeguarding and enhancing the most important and vulnerable areas for habitats, species populations and recognise the need to ensure that these are not managed in isolation and that they make a positive contribution to and enrich the state of nature in Scotland. Our most vulnerable goose populations are Greenland white-fronted geese and Taiga bean geese, although it should be noted that the latter population, coming to Scotland, is very small and likely to short stop in other parts of the range in the future.

Both populations of barnacle geese have suffered significant impacts from highly pathogenic avian influenza. Several other geese are protected by the European Commission (EC) Birds Directive and are included as features within the network of Special Protection Areas. Work with national and international partners will continue to develop and agree management approaches to manage species in order to meet our legal obligations in balance with other Scottish Government rural policies.

c. Wildlife management/Land use conflict resolution.

Support for goose management will be actively considered within the context of new approaches to agri-environment support. The aim is to identify appropriate management activities and funding mechanisms, supported by economic evidence, for future options for managing geese on improved agricultural land. For migratory geese, work will continue with the relevant range states, through the African-Eurasian Waterbird Agreement (AEWA) European Goose Management Platform, to develop flyway level plans which will support management of populations where they are causing agricultural damage.