Welfare of the Sheep on St Kilda

That the Parliament notes reported continuing concerns regarding the welfare of the Soay sheep on St Kilda, in particular recurring winter starvation and suffering within a geographically confined area; recognises that the sheep were introduced to St Kilda by human action in the 20th century and are therefore, it believes, to be properly understood as a feral, rather than wild, population; notes reported expert legal opinion, including from specialists in animal welfare and public law, that feral sheep fall within the scope of protection under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006; further notes that the sheep are owned by no private individual but inhabit land owned by the National Trust for Scotland; believes that the Trust therefore holds responsibility for their management; acknowledges reported public concern raised by veterinary professionals and researchers, as well as documentary evidence regarding avoidable suffering caused by unmanaged population pressures; calls on the Scottish Government to review its long-standing position that the sheep are wild animals for the purposes of animal welfare legislation; urges the National Trust for Scotland, in engagement with the Scottish Government, to bring forward active and humane management proposals to prevent ongoing starvation, and calls on the Scottish Government to clarify how its current approach is compatible with its stated commitment to high animal welfare standards.