Wild lynx may soon be reintroduced to the UK s fields and woods in a bid to cut the soaring number of deer which are damaging young trees and crops and causing crashes.
The plans have been put forward by the Lynx Trust UK who say although sheep may be targeted by the feline predators, compensation would be available for farmers.
It is now estimated there are two million wild deer in the UK - the bigger number for a thousand years, helped by the extinction of their natural predators like wolves.
By feeding on the undergrowth and stripping the lower branches of trees bare, the deer damage potential nesting spots for birds.
Jen Craig, chair of NSA Scotland, NSA Scotland s recent Annual Regional Members Meetings, held via the online meeting platform ‘Zoom’, attracted a much larger audience than in previous years. The meeting was held to deal with the election, reapproval and nomination of office bearers, representatives, regional trustees, directors and new committee members. In addition to this, attendees approved the minutes of the 2019/2020 ARMM, and received the NSA Scotland chairman’s and treasurer’s reports for the year 2020/2021. Attendees voted the re-election approval of regional committee comprising of Jen Craig as regional chair, Maimie Paterson as vice chair, Mary Dunlop as regional treasurer and Aileen McFadzean and Peter Myles as regional trustees. John Fyall was also re-elected as the Scottish representative for the NSA UK Policy and Technical Committee.
Newly re-elected NSA Scotland chairperson looking to the future By Alan Hendry Published: 21:54, 20 January 2021
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NSA Scotland chairperson Jen Craig.
Newly re-elected NSA Scotland chairperson Jen Craig says she is looking forward to working with others in the organisation for the good of the Scottish sheep sector in 2021 and beyond.
NSA Scotland is the Scottish region of the National Sheep Association, which represents the views and interests of sheep producers throughout the UK. The annual regional members meeting (ARMM) was held via Zoom and the virtual format allowed a much larger audience than in previous years.
Rachel Lumley made a lasting impact on national farming when she founded Love Lamb Week. THE legacy of a passionate sheep farmer who founded a national event in her home district will live on in 2021 and beyond. The Tyne Valley was rocked by the sudden death of former Blanchland farmer Rachel Lumley, at the age of just 37, in August. Love Lamb Week, the event she had created to great effect back in 2015, went ahead in September, with praise and tributes for Rachel from prominent figures in the industry. In creating the week-long campaign, Rachel wanted to give lamb the attention it deserved, to focus on emphasising the nutritional benefits of lamb and its unique role in sustainable meat production.