Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill Consultation

The Scottish Government has recently consulted on a new Bill that will regulate some of the moorland practices conducted throughout Scotland. The Wildlife Management (Grouse) Bill was introduced in response to the concerns over raptor persecution offences in close proximity to areas managed for grouse shooting. The Werritty report, commissioned by The Scottish Government, was published in December 2019, and had a number of recommendations within it that seek to improve the accountability and operating procedures of grouse moors. Werritty said in the report that if offences hadn't reduced within a five year period then the licensing of grouse moors might be considered. Even though there has been a significant decrease in reported raptor crimes, and no reports of raptor persecution on grouse moors in 2022, the Scottish Government pressed ahead and will be introducing licensing in 2023.

The main focus of the Bill will surround the licensing of the shooting of grouse, whether walked-up or driven. The Bill will also be used as a vehicle to introduce further regulations on wildlife management practices such as snaring and trapping. Muirburn is also under the spotlight and it is likely that trained personnel may have to be licenced to be able to operate.

The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) have been working closely with shooting organisations and other stakeholders involved with the consultation. We have been working to represent the interests of Scottish fieldsports, lettings, tourism, retail and hoteliers in our rural areas where this Bill may adversely affect local business interests. As collaborative Aim to Sustain organisations wrote in a recent letter to the UK Government: "Shooting is worth £2 billion to the UK economy each year. The economic value provided by the shooting community is vast and positively impacts millions of people in areas of the country which can be often overlooked or forgotten".

One of the biggest contentious issues with this Bill is that it goes far beyond the necessary parameters proposed in the Werritty review. Not only did the Scottish Government ignore the sensible advice of allowing a period of time for improvements to be made, it also consulted on the proposal that a licence holder could lose their licence if any wildlife crime was committed, not just the raptor persecution offences that the Bill was introduced to tackle. This would leave the owner of the estate or the shooting rights wide open to abuse from those who wish to see shooting stopped permanently. Jobs and livelihoods could be lost on the conviction of something that was out with the control of the owner or licence holder. Local employment and valuable income could be dramatically reduced.

The SCA will remain involved throughout the progress of the Bill and has submitted a joint letter to the Scottish Government expressing concerns. Rural stake holders are united in ensuring that this Bill will be fair and proportionate so that our communities do not suffer as a result.