A centuries-old British tradition has been banned by the Scottish Government after an “animal rights” uproar.
NatureScot has refused to grant a licence for the annual guga hunt in the Outer Hebrides – shutting the door on 500 years of history.
The decision was announced on Monday, marking the first time the Scottish nature agency has blocked the practice, which dates back to the 1500s.
Hunters from Ness on the Isle of Lewis travel each year to a remote islet to cull gannet chicks.
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Participants use a pole and noose to capture the young birds from the island’s exposed cliffs, before gutting, salting and preserving them in brine.
NatureScot officials, however, warned the hunt would negatively affect the local gannet population.
While permission had always previously been granted, this year, the agency turned down the application – including a proposal for a smaller cull.
A newly commissioned population model, capable of predicting the effects of one-off “mortality events” such as avian flu or offshore wind farm construction, was behind the decision.
NatureScot said: “We have used the latest information available and commissioned an updated population model to help predict the effect of the guga hunt on the gannet population.
“As a result, we have concluded an adverse impact is possible, both at the applicants’ requested application limit of 2,000 juvenile gannets, and at a reduced limit of 500.”
The Scottish Animal Welfare Commission also ruled last month that the hunt could not be conducted “humanely” given conditions on the rocky islet.
That came after furious animal rights activists targeted NatureScot’s Inverness headquarters, causing damage that cost £110,000 in public funds to repair and forcing the body to take up new security measures.
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Hunt-backers accused the agency of caving in to “bullying” and have demanded an explanation for how the ban was recommended.
While Torcuil Crichton, the Labour MP for the Western Isles, called the campaign to ban the hunt “green neo-colonialism”.
Warnings were issued that the ban would cause the island community “grievous hurt” and threaten its “unique common identity”.
But NatureScot cast down concerns, and said: “It is troubling that some feel they can bring about a change in the law through threats and intimidation. We rely on sound science to navigate a clear path through complex issues and often conflicting interests.”
The ban is not permanent, and the Men of Ness may apply for a new licence in future years.
NatureScot said: “This decision does not prevent the Men of Ness applying for and obtaining a licence in future years.
“The hunt is recognised in law under the Wildlife and Countryside Act and NatureScot has a duty to consider any licence application based upon the best available science.”
During the hunt, the birds are killed with a stick, beheaded, singed over flames and pickled in salt before being sold as a delicacy.
The meat is then dispatched in vacuum packs to relatives worldwide, with demand so high that supplies must be rationed.
Its flavour is said to fall somewhere between duck and salted mackerel.
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