Like in the 2021 poll, SGA members have asked us to provide information to help them make choices on the ballot paper.
Prior to the Holyrood Parliament being dissolved, we polled candidates from all parties on how they might support gamekeepers, land and river ghillies and deer/wildlife managers, if re-elected.
In this guide, we focus on the response received from Willie Rennie (Lib Dem candidate for North East Fife).
Willie has been a stalwart figure from the early days of Parliament, becoming a regional MSP for Mid Scotland and Fife from 2011 before becoming constituency MSP 10 years ago.
A former Lib Dem party leader, he has engaged constructively with the SGA over the years as has been supportive of the concerns raised by constituents who are involved in the game sector. Willie has been an advocate for rural skills, campaigning to keep key courses at SRUC Elmwood in Cupar.
On the impacts he believes our sector has on community, economy and biodiversity, he said: “They have an important but underrated contribution to all three with jobs and land management being critical.”
In terms of supporting the sector, in future, he explained that he would: “Listen and make representations but also speak up in parliament on debates and legislation.”
He added that it would be his aspiration to ‘resist unnecessary interference from Government.”
On the subject of policies he’d like to pursue/support/advance in the next Parliament, if elected, he alluded to his recent intervention in the Natural Environment Bill which corrected an omission from the legislation which gave full protection to mountain hares.
His amendment to the Bill now makes it legal for falconers to use eagles to catch hares, using special licences.
“The most recent policy I pursued was winning an amendment to ensure that golden eagles could fly and catch mountain hares,” Willie said.
Falconry is described by UNESCO as living human heritage and the change to the Animals and Wildlife Act was voted through in the Parliament in March.
*These guides are meant for information purposes. They are not endorsements of any individual candidate or party by the SGA. Voting is entirely down to individual preference/conscience.
If you are a candidate and want to be featured in our member Election Guides, please contact info@scottishgamekeepers.co.uk
Who else is running in North East Fife?
John Beare (SNP)
Elizabeth Carr-Ellis (Labour)
William Docherty (Reform)
Edward Sheasby (Conservative)
