News

25 March 2003

Scottish parliament committee backs rescue of Uist hedgehogs

The Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee has today backed plans to rescue the hedgehogs on the Uists and relocate them to waiting homes on the mainland. After discussing a petition submitted by the British Hedgehog Preservation Society (BHPS), the Committee called on Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to abandon its plans to kill the Uist hedgehogs.

The BHPS is part of a consortium of organisations called Uist Hedgehog Rescue (UHR) which is planning to rescue these healthy hedgehogs before they are killed by conservation quango SNH.

In this second hearing of the petition, the Committee stated that "SNH seem to be imposing unreasonable restrictions" on UHR’s rescue plans and that "there was no need to kill the hedgehogs, as relocating them off the island still solves the problem they may be causing to the birds". The Commitee recommended that SNH have further communications with UHR with a view to assisting with relocation. SNH will also be asked to hand over any hedgehogs they catch this year to UHR for relocation.

The Committee felt that the vast practical experience and scientific knowledge of UHR show its intentions to be both realistic and practical. Members of the Committee stated that the petition will be kept open so that they may be kept up to date with the situation.

A spokesperson for UHR said "All groups involved in UHR are obviously delighted that the Scottish Parliament’s Public Petitions Committee has endorsed strong public opinion by stating its support for relocating hedgehogs from the Uists. SNH’s plan to use taxpayers’ money to kill these healthy wild animals is deplorable when there is a perfectly acceptable and practical alternative. We were very disappointed when SNH chose to reject our carefully constructed plans, and refused to work with us. However, now that the Scottish Parliament is urging them to think again, we would of course welcome their co-operation."

Notes to Editors
For further information please contact Advocates for Animals’ office on 0131 225 6039. Out of Hours call Ross Minett (07946 517 585) or Les Ward (07971 590337).

Uist Hedgehog Rescue (UHR) consists of: Advocates for Animals, the British Hedgehog Preservation Society, Hessilhead Animal Rescue Centre, International Animal Rescue, the Mammals Society and St Tiggywinkles Wildlife Hospital.

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