Comhairle nan Eilean Siar says “there is no evidence that eating Guga poses any risk to public health” dismissing claims by Guga harvest protestors that the “Guga hunt operates outside current food safety regulations”.
The council further stresses that Protect the Wild is “fully aware” of risk-based assessment process and “conclusions reached” after the protest group issued a press statement making claims based on a Freedom of Information request it made and in which it states the guga – harvested in the way it has been for centuries – is “unsanitary” and “unregulated”.
Elected officials across the Western Isles have recently rallied to support the Men of Ness who conduct the tradition in their request for a licence to conduct the guga harvest this year.
A supporting letter was sent by MSP for the Western Isles Donald Mackinnon to NatureScot on behalf of The Men of Ness.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar has also written to Nick Halfhide, Chief Executive of Nature Scot, in relation to the licensing of the Guga Hunt stating “Comhairle nan Eilean Siar supports the continued licensing of the Guga Hunt.
“The Guga Hunt is a sustainable and regulated practice that is important to the heritage of Ness and the wider Western Isles," it reads.
Comhairle nan Eilean Siar’s letter was cosigned by Paul Steele, Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Kenny Macleod, Convener of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar, Duncan Macinnes, Depute Leader of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar and Martin Joyce, Chief Executive of Comhairle nan Eilean Siar.
And recently MP for the Western Isles Torcuil Crichton revealed he believes that the guga harvest is an essential part of island life and history and should continue unhindered while expressing his objection to those with “a saviour-complex” telling islanders what was good for them.
Yet in its latest move to end the harvest, Protect the Wild cites its Freedom of Information request to Comhairle which it says, “exposes failures” and “strengthened the case for ending the hunt altogether”.
The protest group points to there being “no running water, no sanitation infrastructure and no refrigeration. The carcasses may be kept unrefrigerated for weeks before reaching the consumer. “
A recent press statement by Protect the Wild claims that its Freedom of Information request exposes that Comhairle nan Eilean Siar (Western Isles Council) had received food safety complaints about the Guga hunt and acknowledged that the process is "not in full compliance with current food regulations."
Despite this, they say, officials stated that they did not intend to investigate further, citing the practical difficulties involved in inspecting activities on the remote island of Sula Sgeir.
In an email chain, protestors claim one council officer said: "It would require two officers making at least a 40-mile boat trip to try and access an island that has no safe landing spot at the right time to investigate potential concerns."
However, in direct response to the claims relating to the Campaigners’ FOI, Comhairle points to the age-old preservation and preparation processes of salting and boiling and to a risk-based assessment process of which the protestors were “made fully aware”.
It reads:“In accordance with the Food Law Code of Practice (Scotland) and associated guidance, the Comhairle applies a risk‑based and proportionate approach to enforcement.
“The Comhairle does not have any evidence indicating that the consumption of guga has posed a risk to public health.
“The product is subject to preservation methods, including salting, and is thoroughly cooked by boiling, prior to consumption.
“Taking these factors into account, the Comhairle has determined, in line with the principles of proportionality, consistency, and targeting set out in its Enforcement Policy, that further investigation or formal enforcement action is not justified at this time.
“Protect the Wild has been made fully aware of the risk-based assessment process followed and the conclusions that the Comhairle has reached.”
