A FURIOUS political row has broken out over a planned cull of hundreds of deer at a Lothian a country park.
West Lothian Council has been accused of planning the "slaughter" at Beecraigs Country Park in a bid to save money.
The opposition Labour group on the council claims a herd of around 450 red deer could be culled to 100 over the next two years to s
ave the £70,000.
The ruling SNP-led administration has hit back, describing the claims as "totally off the wall" and insisting the former Labour council routinely culled the farmed herd.
That has not stopped Labour councillors calling for a stay of execution and public consultation on the issue. They have also criticised the administration for the move after it spent £70,000 on a hospitality marquee, £10,000 on a trip to Texas for a twinning venture and ended bonus payments to adults with learning difficulties.
Fauldhouse and Breich Valley councillor, Cathy Muldoon, said: "We have already seen people using adult learning centres in West Lothian lose out because of SNP budget bungling – now our wildlife is also to suffer.
"Given the choice I am sure people would rather their money was spent supporting the continuation of the herd at Beecraigs than on a big tent, which will spend most of its time in storage.
"It is ironic that the red deer stag, the iconic image of Scottish wildlife, is to be slaughtered by an SNP-led council. We are appalled by the decision to order the cull of these beautiful and gentle creatures."
The recommendation to proceed with the cull was taken at a policy meeting on Tuesday, and the decision will now be referred to a meeting of the council executive for ratification.
Council leader Peter Johnston slammed the Labour claims and said there would be almost £1.5 million invested in Beecraigs in the near future following a "decade of Labour neglect".
He added: "Labour's behaviour is becoming more bizarre by the day. The first thing that must be said is that the council has not taken any such decision." He said the deer would always have a future in Beecraigs.
"The deer herd is a highly valued asset and a major visitor attraction. However, the reality is that this is a farmed herd and venison has always been a product harvested from it," he said.
"I should point out to Labour that local farms also produce beef, pork and lamb. I think I should also tell them that the hamburgers they eat at McDonald's are distant relatives of the cow.
"It is a fact that the last Labour administration routinely culled these animals, and proudly introduced a discount for council staff who purchased venison from Beecraigs."
