GULL MANAGEMENT
BPCA Technical and Compliance Manager, Niall Gallagher, attended the People and Gulls Summit in Inverness on 23 September 2025, helping to represent the professional pest management sector in discussions about managing urban gull populations across Scotland.
Hosted by NatureScot, the event brought together local authorities, government representatives, conservationists, pest professionals, and community organisations to share real-world experiences, identify policy gaps, and plan practical action before the next nesting season.
Open conversation and collaboration
The Minister opened the summit by recognising the significant impact of urban gull populations on communities, businesses, and public services across Scotland.
Delegates were clear that while gulls are a natural part of our environment, their growing presence in towns and cities presents public health, safety, and environmental challenges that demand coordinated solutions.
Throughout the sessions, participants agreed that lasting progress depends on honest discussion, transparency, and partnership working. Attendees shared lived experiences from across the country, from local authorities managing high-risk areas to pest management professionals handling the day-to-day realities on the ground.
Niall Gallagher, BPCA Technical and Compliance Manager, said:
“It’s encouraging to see pest management recognised as an important part of the solution. We can play a key role in turning policy into practical action, especially when it comes to humane deterrence, proofing, and working with communities to prevent problems before they start.”
Key takeaways from the summit
The breakout sessions explored data, licensing, and practical management approaches. Common threads included:
No single solution
Long-term success will require a mix of approaches including waste control, habitat management, education, and enforcement.
Evidence-led practice
Delegates called for better data on gull populations and behaviour, alongside peer-reviewed research to test what actually works.
Local action within a national framework
A Scotland-wide strategy should guide consistent, science-based management, while allowing flexibility for local challenges.
Licensing transparency
Clearer national guidance and a more consistent process were high priorities for local authorities and practitioners alike.
Public engagement and education
Changing public behaviour around feeding and waste disposal is essential to reducing urban gull problems. As one participant put it, “The gull problem is a people problem,” underlining the need for social as well as technical solutions.
Agreed actions going forward
To maintain momentum, several next steps were confirmed:
- Regional roundtables
NatureScot will run three regional events to widen participation and build local partnerships.
- Targeted funding
£100,000 has been allocated to help local authorities create area-wide gull management plans.
- Awareness campaign
A national “Don’t Feed the Gulls” initiative will focus on responsible waste management and public behaviour.
- Improved data collection
Continued work to improve national and regional surveys on urban nesting, population trends, and behaviour.
- Best practice guidance
New resources to help communities and professionals apply effective, humane, and coordinated management measures.
- Ongoing collaboration
Plans are being explored for a regular People and Gulls Forum to sustain communication and learning.
A shared responsibility
The overarching message from the summit was clear: managing gulls successfully will take joined-up thinking, shared accountability, and long-term investment. Short-term fixes are unlikely to solve the issue. Instead, Scotland’s pest management community, local authorities, and national agencies must continue working side by side to balance the needs of people and wildlife.
BPCA will continue to engage with NatureScot and the Scottish Government to ensure professional pest management expertise remains central to future gull management strategy development.
Read more on NatureScot’s website: People and Gulls Summit Summary
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