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SECTION 6 National policy framework - national structures and general principles
Current principles and structures
6.1 The current membership of the NGMRG is comprised of Scottish Executive Departments, NDPBs and NGOs with an interest in goose management (see Annex 1 for full membership list). The NGMRG has met tri-annually since 2000. Individual local goose management schemes are approved by Scottish Ministers on the basis of NGMRG recommendations and advice. It is the responsibility of the NGMRG to ensure that:
- applications for local goose management schemes (and the subsequent implementation of those schemes) accurately reflect the requirements of the national policy framework, and
- individual schemes contribute to achieving the overall objectives of national goose management policy.
6.2 The NGMRG has used scientific advice from the Goose Science Advisory Group ( GSAG) sub-group to support their decision making process. Although not all goose populations in Scotland are stable or increasing, (see Section 2 of this report), any concerns relate primarily to issues outwith Scotland. Within Scotland there is no indication that current goose management polices fail to meet the UK's nature conservation obligations.
6.3 The NGMRG has supported the development of seven local goose management schemes within the national policy framework. Flexibility in scheme design and empowering communities to find local solutions to local problems has helped to ensure an effective partnership approach at local level. Concerns from the farming community within goose scheme areas over agricultural damage from geese appear to have reduced. This view is supported by the report of the local schemes sub-group in comments sought from local goose management schemes. Value for money is demonstrated through the evaluation report (Annex 6 18) which suggests that overall local goose management schemes provide good value for money. Accordingly, there are no indications that the current national policy framework does not minimise economic loss to farmers and crofters, whilst maximising value for money.
The Future of the National Policy Framework and the NGMRG
6.4 Given the need to ensure that the national policy framework compliments other policy objectives and the continued requirement for assessment of local goose management schemes, the NGMRG recommend that there is still a requirement for a review body as suggested by Recommendation 24 of the NGF report and that the principles of this Recommendation should be retained. Since this Review recommends approval of established local schemes for periods of up to 5 years (Recommendation 21) and in the view of the effective operation of the national policy framework, meetings are likely to be less frequent and workload less. The criteria for determining where local goose management schemes should be established should not be altered at this time given the changing agricultural context and the need to retain flexibility.
Recommendation 30: The National Goose Management Review Group ( NGMRG) should continue operation until 2010, at which time its remit should be reviewed. Its role should continue to (a) ensure that local goose management scheme applications accurately implement the NPF at local level; (b) conduct a multi-disciplinary policy review in 2010 to ensure that national goose management arrangements continue to complement the UK's national and international nature conservation obligations for geese, minimise economic losses to farmers and crofters, and maximise the value-for-money of public expenditure; and (c) oversee arrangements for monitoring of protected geese populations.
Conclusion
6.5 Environmental, agricultural and legislative changes have the ability to impact upon the national policy framework and local goose management schemes in the future. These issues will require careful consideration to ensure that the national policy framework continues to compliment other Scottish policy objectives. The UK framework for sustainable development sets Scottish objectives for efficient use of our natural resources and to make economic growth sustainable. There should be a continuing emphasis on partnership working within the changing agricultural environment, in order to maintain sustainable communities while conserving and enhancing Scotland's biodiversity. With all of these factors in mind, to enable assessment of the indirect benefits arising from goose schemes to be made in the future, the NGMRG suggests that further information is required to better inform Ministers of the economic and biodiversity impacts upon local communities as a result of the presence of local goose management schemes. This will enable Ministers to take account of the role of local goose management schemes in the future changing environment.
Recommendation 31: Research should be carried out to assess the positive and negative impacts of local goose management schemes upon biodiversity and the sustainable development of local communities. This should include consideration of the effect of payments to natural heritage interests, including payments to local goose management schemes, and their effect on the local economy.
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