Wild goose meat will be available on sale in Orkney as part of a trial project.
Scottish Natural Heritage confirmed yesterday that licensed outlets can now trade in Orkney greylag geese, courtesy of a management scheme that allows local people to control the resident greylag goose population.
It will be available from licensed sellers on Orkney until March next year.
“Licence controls, in the form of a restricted bag limit, ensure the sale of geese will not drive up the number of geese shot to unsustainable levels,” according to SNH.
Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said: “This is the final year of the Orkney greylag goose pilot project.
“The Scottish Government is determined to support our rural communities. This project helps farmers and crofters and provides a boost to the local economy through the licensed sale of goose meat.”
Gail Churchill, SNH’s Orkney operations manager, said: “This action will allow a sustainable harvest of geese and help boost local businesses prepare and sell fresh, seasonal, wild goose meat.
“We have responded to the concerns of local farmers and land managers. We are also committed to ensuring that shooting is controlled so geese are managed sustainably.
“Now that the sale is permitted again, there is scope to buy prepared goose, for instance goose sausages, bringing an economic benefit to local businesses.”
She added that goose meat is “a good healthy source of protein”.
There are currently four greylag goose pilots in Scotland which enable local people to manage resident greylag goose populations – in Orkney, the Uists, Coll and Tiree, and Lewis and Harris.
