TWGCT present the Change Petition to Racheal Hamilton MSP in the Middle Square, Newcastleton

On the 10th April 2025 the TWGCT presented the Change Petition, calling for an end to the cull of 83% of a wild goat heft by the rewilding company Oxygen Conservation, to Racheal Hamilton MSP in Newcastleton.

The petition gathered a staggering 3,823 signatures from concerned members of our community about the welfare of wild goats. Racheal Hamilton MSP proposed an amendment at a Stage Two reading of the Land Reform (Scotland) Bill. Unfortunately, her amendment was defeated by one vote. This was disappointing and not the outcome we wanted because the amendment would have prevented company’s like Oxygen Conservation culling wild goats on their land without community approval.

Photo features L-R:

Racheal Hamilton MSP

Gail Brown, TWGCT Vice-Chairman and Secretary

David Braithwaite, TWGCT Chairman

Emma Ritchie, TWGCT Trustee

Dr. Shirley Goodyear, British Primitive Goat Research Group & TWGCT Trustee

Julie Maxwell Beaty, TWGCT Trustee