Local goose will stay on the menu in Orkney a little bit longer.
The sale of greylag goose meat on the island has been extended to January 31 next year, to encourage the use of seasonal wild meat and help boost local business.
The control of resident greylag geese is licensed by Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) to protect agricultural crops, as part of the Orkney Resident Greylag Goose Project. The project was allowed to sell meat until October 31, but it has benn extended to take advantage of the European Commission’s approval for Scotland-wide sales until any new potential EU exit date.
These licences permit the sale of resident greylag goose meat in Scotland directly to consumers as well as to retailers, such as hotels and butchers.
Highlands and Islands MSP Jamie Halcro Johnston added: “This is welcome news and a step, albeit only a small one, in the right direction.
“However, much more needs to be done by the Scottish Government before Orkney’s farming community can have confidence that their concerns about the impact of the goose population are being properly addressed.”
Claudia Rowse, SNH head of natural resource management said: “We are delighted to announce the continued sale of resident greylag goose meat. Now, licensed sellers from Orkney will have a chance to develop the market for their product and people can try goose for themselves, on Orkney, and across Scotland.”