The Scottish Government has announced a contract for research organisations to carry out a project on sheep worrying.

The project will consider the impact of dog attacks and predation by wildlife on farmed sheep, along with potential strategies for mitigation. The objective for the successful applicants will be to obtain data on the scale of these issues in Scotland, and attempt to identify patterns in the attacks.

They will also be required to draw comparisons on the impact of worrying by dogs and wildlife predation to farmers based on time/effort as well as financial and other costs. The research will aim to identify recommendations on how to achieve greater prevention of worrying and wildlife attacks through effective potential mitigation measures and strategies at farm, community (including dog owners) and Government levels. The final date to submit a tender is 6 September 2018.