Emma Harper MSP believes the high number of responses received so far to the public consultation on her proposed Members’ Bill to tackle livestock attacks “demonstrates how important protecting our livestock is” to those living and working in rural communities.
The South Scotland MSP launched the consultation on Thursday 21st February and within 24 hours had received 86 responses – more than some other Members’ Bill proposals receive in the full three month consultation period – with the number now at over 250.
The proposals have been brought forward by Ms. Harper in response to statistics from a number of sources showing that dog attacks on livestock have increased significantly in the past decade, including figures published by NFU Mutual last year claiming such attacks had risen by 67% in Scotland over a two year period.
Commenting on the consultation response, she said:
“Since we launched the consultation last Thursday we received 86 responses within the first 24 hours and by the middle of last week had received 256.
“The high number of responses in the first 24 hours following the launch and in the days after demonstrates how important protecting our livestock is to the stakeholders involved, which includes farmers, vets, police, animal welfare inspectors, as well as the general public.
“Livestock attacks are unfortunately a common occurrence across Scotland so that’s why I decided to take decisive action with my proposals for a Members’ Bill to strengthen livestock attack laws.
“I would encourage as many people as possible to respond to this consultation so together we can prevent further livestock attacks from happening in the future.”
Link to Emma Harper MSP consultation form (closing date 15th May): https://www.parliament.scot/gettinginvolved/111027.aspx
Learn more about the livestock worrying issue on Emma Harper MSP’s website: https://emmaharpermsp.scot/livestock-worrying/
