Politics: MSP informed about impact of avian flu on birds
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It’s been great to be back in the constituency for summer recess and getting to make visits around different events, organisations and meeting with constituents on key issues impacting them.
Earlier this month, I was able to visit New Arc, which helps to rescue local animals in need of some tlc.
Keith and Pauline, who run New Arc, do a brilliant job and I was lucky enough to have a hold of a baby hedgehog as well as see a resident otter, some house martins and hear about their recent work in the community.
Keith and Pauline have also been inundated with calls following the recent avian flu outbreak across north-east beaches.
Many birds have been infected and died as a result of the outbreak and I was pleased to see that NatureScot has now set up a working group to help facilitate managing the outbreak.
Anyone who finds three dead wild swans, geese or ducks, a single dead bird of prey, or five or more dead wild birds of any species (including gulls) should report their findings to Defra on 03459 33 55 77.
Dogs should be kept on a lead in coastal areas to avoid them touching or picking up dead birds.
I was also really pleased to attend the New Deer Show at the weekend which has been a staple in my calendar.
It was good to meet with the NFU and fellow parliamentarians from across the political spectrum to talk about the challenges and opportunities which are being faced in agriculture just now.
My team and I have been working hard to represent a number of issues facing the farming industry at the Scottish Parliament including the challenges the pig industry have been dealing with since the temporary closure of the abattoir in Brechin last year as a result of the pandemic and the challenges facing seed potato farmers.
None of these issues are simple to solve but I have been working hard to lobby the Scottish Government about its ongoing work petitioning the UK Government on these issues too.
I was also pleased to meet with Councillor Jenny Nicol, who was elected for the first time earlier this year in the council elections.
Councillor Nicol is a real asset to local government, and I was so pleased when she was chosen by voters to represent the Mid Formartine ward.
I look forward to seeing what she achieves on behalf of constituents in her role and working closely with her.
One of the important topics we discussed when we met up was around Storm Arwen and how we prepare for the winter ahead.
Councillor Nicol, along with other volunteers, was instrumental in supporting local people who needed a hot meal and somewhere to charge their phone during the storms.
It was important for me to hear in detail how Councillor Nicol and other volunteers felt during this time and to listen to what they felt needed to be done moving forward.
By hearing first-hand I can also pass this information back to the Scottish Government, which has been working hard on its resilience approach ahead of extreme weather events which will happen in the future.
