RHS SAYS IT REGRETS CULLING DEER, MAYOR HOPES THEY CAN REGAIN PUBLIC TRUST

Salford's Mayor (Paul Dennett) and wildlife champion (Councillor Lewis Nelson) have taken part in urgent meeting with bosses from the RHS Bridgewater this morning after the society caused outrage after revealing it had culled nine roe deer at its site on Leigh Road, which they say had become trapped between fences.

The Mayor has now confirmed that there are no active plans in progress to cull any further roe deer at the site, but critics have said there should be no plans at all, active or inactive.

Additionally the RHS has pledged to enter into a new community engagement process with the local community committee and local councillors on decisions pertaining to the remaining herd.

All future decisions will now have to be green lit by the community committee before being allowed to commence. 

The RHS had culled what is now known to have been nine roe deer after they became trapped between fences, in order to stop them damaging shrubs, plants and trees at the 156 acre site which so far has cost in the region of £44m with an investment by the local council of £19m. 

To say this has caused a huge backlash is an understatement as Salford has not seen such a display of anger since the days when iGas had planned to bring hydraulic gas fracturing (Fracking) to Barton Moss.

Countless numbers of people have been taking to social media to condemn the actions with many pledging to boycott the gardens before they even open in May 2021.

The RHS has now said that tranquilising was considered not to be an option as it can have adverse effects on the deer but some on social media have been quick to point out that being shot dead through the head was a far worse effect for them and one for which they had no chance of recovery from.

Netting was also said to have not been possible due to the coronavirus regulations and the amount of people that would be required to carry out such an operation, although commenters on social media were quick to point out that even during the height of the pandemic, construction and planting was still taking place on the site.

We have spoken privately with one wildlife campaign group this morning which has told us that the response by the RHS is not good enough and does not go far enough to ensure the future safety of the herd, they are currently in talks with other groups and pledging to take action when the gardens open to the public in May 2021, with protests outside the site planned.

A joint statement from both Mayor Dennett and Wildlife Champion Councillor Nelson reads as follows:

Quote

 

“Following discussions with the RHS following the decision to cull nine deer which was announced on Friday, I can confirm that the RHS recognises mistakes have been made in the decision-making and communications around that decision.

“A primary concern of the Council in our discussions were plans pertaining to any remaining deer in the vicinity.

“I can confirm that there are no active plans from the RHS to cull any more of the Roe deer population in Salford, and the RHS have agreed to begin in a new community engagement process regarding any future decisions implicating the resident Roe deer population.

“In future, should there be questions as to future of the herd, those discussions will be discussed transparently at the local Community Committee in advance of any actions being taken – working with with residents and councillors.

“Whilst the Council recognises that herd management may sometimes be necessary, we do not believe the decisions taken recently reflect an adequate or transparent process and in future safeguards will be in place to prevent decisions being taken in this manner again.

“RHS Bridgewater representatives have expressed contrition and regret in relation to recent events, and have emphasised that an explicit aim of the garden and surrounding area is to increase and expand the biodiversity of our city for many animals – including deer – to thrive.

“ I do believe that this is a sincere position from the garden, and I hope that over coming months RHS will be able to regain the trust of local residents, living up to its role as protector of our local wildlife.”

"RHS will be here for a long time and we do want to build bridges."

 

Meanwhile a petition set up by local resident Sam Sykes continues to grow, with now almost 7,000 people signing, the anger does not seem to have been stemmed by this latest announcement.

Petition · Salford City Council, RHS, RSPCA, : Stop the RHS Bridgewater from further culling of roe deer at their site · Change.org