A campaigner has defended his petition calling for an ban on the legal shooting of seals after it was thrown out by MSPs.
On Wednesday the Scottish Parliament’s rural affairs, climate change and environment committee (RACCE) unanimously agreed not to pursue a petition from the Save Our Seals.
The group had called for an end to the issuing of licences permitting salmon farmers, salmon netters and anglers to shoot seals.
It also wanted salmon farms to use onshore tanks rather than net enclosures, or instal high-tension predator nets, and for all salmon netting stations to be closed.
RACCE committee convener Rob Gibson said the petition seemed to be about much more than just the shooting of seals.
Members said petitioner John Robins had failed to provide evidence that more seals were shot than those permitted by licence.
They also said many of the issues had already been dealt with by the industry or were soon to be considered at Holyrood.
Mr Robins hit back and claimed the topics mentioned in his petition were not being tackled.
“The issues raised in my petition are valid and are not being addressed properly by the government,” he said.
“Contrary to government and industry claims seal shooting is not used as a last resort but as a much cheaper option than installing and maintaining predator exclusion nets.
“This was clearly admitted by a government advisory committee – the Special Committee on Seals – in their submission on my petition.”