Where geese are making use of agricultural land, initial responsibility for minimising damage to crops and grass rests with the farmer or crofter, who should take appropriate steps by scaring and, where appropriate and legally possible, shooting geese.
Where this is impossible, either because of goose numbers or because the necessary level of scaring and any associated shooting could not be undertaken due to the protected status of the population, a local goose management scheme may be considered.
There are seven local goose management schemes Islay, Kintyre, Solway, Strathbeg, South Walls, The Uists, Tiree and Coll across Scotland. These schemes have been developed by local goose management groups within the national policy framework.
The schemes aim to minimise losses to farmers, whilst ensuring that Scotland fulfils its international nature conservation obligations. These schemes are targeted at specific geese populations and defined areas. Most of the schemes provide payments towards the maintenance of disturbance free feeding areas while encouraging the scaring of geese on other parts of the holding.
As part of The National Goose Management Review Group's (NGMRG) remit, it has a requirement to ensure that local goose management schemes implement the national policy framework at a local level.
A core task for the NGMRG is to evaluate proposals for new schemes and to carry out annual assessments of existing schemes. Scottish Ministers then decide whether to approve the establishment or continuation of individual local goose management schemes. Local goose management schemes approved by Scottish Ministers are funded by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH).
Of the seven approved goose management schemes, five ( Islay, Kintyre, the Solway, on South Walls and Strathbeg) focus on migratory species and operate during the winter and spring. The other two schemes ( Tiree and Coll) and The Uists focus on resident populations of greylag geese and operate during the summer months.
Read more about a particular goose management scheme: