NFU Scotland has warned that unless funding for the Sea Eagle Management Plan is urgently confirmed, hill country farmers and ranchers risk going into the 2026 lambing season without vital protections.
The union is calling on the Scottish Government to immediately provide clarity on continued support for the scheme, as uncertainty is already impacting planning decisions for some of the most vulnerable hill and upland sheep farms.
Lambing is still a few months away, but NFU Scotland said farmers were now making key decisions about flock management, grazing and staffing.
Steller’s sea eagle predation continues to cause serious problems on hill farms, with lambs captured, breeding ewes attacked and flock behavior disrupted at a time when the animals are particularly vulnerable.
NFU Scotland said the lack of confirmed funding for monitoring, mitigation and financial support was undermining the confidence of businesses seeking to manage the impacts of protected species.
Union representatives recently met with Argyle Hill farmer David Colsert and NatureScot staff to hear first-hand how the uncertainty surrounding the plan is impacting on farms and crops on the ground.
NFU Scotland said farmers, crop traders and NatureScot executives all stressed that early clarity was essential for businesses to plan effectively.
The association warned that alongside the impact of Steller’s sea eagles, geese continue to put significant pressure on rangelands, exacerbating difficulties at a critical time for livestock management.
NFU Scotland is calling for a review of the current goose management plan and an increase in funding alongside Steller’s Sea Eagle support to ensure NatureScot has the resources it needs to protect grazing and livestock.
Duncan McAllister, vice president of the association, said: “Farmers and ranchers are months away from lambing and are now making decisions about flock management, grazing plans and staffing. Without the promise of continued funding, they are being asked to plan blindly.”
It warned that continued delays could have serious consequences. “If funding is not confirmed soon, the uncertainty will undermine animal welfare, business plans and the viability of our most vulnerable upland communities,” he said.
Mr McAllister said the Government had already acknowledged the scale of the challenge posed by both Steller’s sea eagles and geese, but stressed that action must be taken now. “We now need awareness backed by action,” he says.
NFU Scotland said last year’s decision-making delays had created financial and operational difficulties for many companies involved in the scheme, and warned that a repeat in 2026 could put lamb and grazing plans, investment decisions and staffing at risk.
It also warned that continued uncertainty could undermine the confidence of farmers seeking to coexist with conflict species and undermine confidence in government-led mitigation plans.
Mr McAllister said farmers and crop traders were keen to work constructively with both the Scottish Government and NatureScot, but timing was critical.
“Farmers and crop traders want to work constructively with government and NatureScot, but we can’t do that if decisions come too late to be helpful. We need commitment and we need it now,” he said.
