Opposing views voiced over tighter laws for grouse shooting
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Tighter laws around grouse shooting in Scotland are being considered it was announced by the Scottish Government, sparking comments from pro and anti lobby groups.
The new proposals published for consultation will form a new Wildlife Management (Grouse Moor) Bill, which aims to ensure that grouse moors are managed in a sustainable way.
The consultation will seek views on a wide range of topics related to wildlife including-
Introducing a licensing scheme for grouse shooting.
Increased regulation of muirburn – the burning of vegetation to maintain moorland.
Banning the use of glue traps.
Increased regulation of other wildlife traps.
The Bill aims to implement the recommendations set out in the Werritty Review, an independent report which called for widespread changes to grouse moor management and the use of traps in Scotland.
Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “Over a number of years, the Scottish Government has introduced a wide range of measures to tackle wildlife crime including a poisons amnesty, restrictions on general licences and most recently, significant increases in penalties for wildlife crimes.
“Despite these measures, the persecution of raptors persists in Scotland.
"That is why we commissioned the independent Werritty Review and why we will now move to implement its recommendations in full.
“I recognise that the management of grouse moors for grouse shooting makes an important contribution to the rural economy.
"However, it is clear that grouse moors must be managed in a sustainable and responsible way, ensuring minimal negative impact on other wildlife, and that we cannot tolerate raptor persecution by a destructive minority.”
In response a joint statement was issued by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation, Scotland’s Regional Moorland Groups, the Scottish Countryside Alliance, the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association, the Scottish Association for Country Sports and Scottish Land & Estates.
The organisations say: “The introduction of yet another layer of legislation, regulation and bureaucracy must not hamper what is a world-class rural business sector.
"Done wrongly, licensing could put at risk much-needed rural employment, as well as the outstanding conservation work undertaken on a daily basis by moorland managers.
“Licensing grouse shooting is ostensibly aimed at tackling raptor persecution, but it is abundantly clear that over many years a massive amount of progress has been made in dealing with this issue and incidents are at a historic low – progress that has been recognised by the Scottish Government.
“We are also concerned that the licensing of Muirburn – the controlled burning of heather – could, done wrongly, infringe upon efforts to combat devastating wildfires and promote carbon capture.
“When all this is taken into consideration, it is difficult to see why licensing is necessary - and that is why our organisations have been opposed from the outset.
“We do, however, acknowledge the political reality that Scottish Government has the power to license grouse shooting and muirburn.
"It is vital that these licensing schemes are proportionate, transparent and workable.
"If a scheme were to be overbearing, it would threaten so much good work.
“All our organisations will participate in the consultation and make our case clear.”
Revive, a coalition of like-minded organisations working for grouse moor reform in Scotland which includes Common Weal, OneKind, Friends of the Earth Scotland, League Against Cruel Sports and Raptor Persecution UK supported the moves.
Campaign Manager for REVIVE Max Wiszniewski said: “We are pleased the Scottish Government has recognised the need to legislate the way in which Scotland’s grouse moors are managed.
"This is a woefully under-regulated industry which has been left to effectively wreak havoc on our countryside.
“The proposed Bill will address the serious issues which over generations have been allowed to create a circle of destruction around huge areas of our land, managed for grouse which are then shot for entertainment.
“While the REVIVE Coalition welcomes the consultation, we are disappointed the scope of the exercise isn't wider.
"We look forward to working with the Government to bring forward a robust, and long overdue piece of legislation which has the potential to address all elements of the circle of destruction surrounding Scotland's grouse moors.”
The consultation can be found here and is seeking views on grouse moor licensing, muirburn and trapping including wildlife traps, glue traps and snares.
