Here’s a preview to tonight’s story on Channel 4 News….watch the video of SGA Chairman Alex Hogg responding to the reporter’s question about whether gamekeepers are poisoning, shooting and trapping birds of prey:
“No they aren’t. We would dispute that“.
He can dispute it all he likes – the growing list of convicted gamekeepers tells a different story, and there are currently six on-going court cases to boot, including allegations of illegal trapping, poisoning, shooting and battering.
C4 News article and accompanying 3 video clips available here, including a preview of an interview with RSPB Scotland’s Head of Investigations, Ian Thomson.
Watch Channel 4 News this evening at 7pm for full story.
UPDATE 23.55hrs: Read our comments on the full report here
Raptor Persecution UK 
How can the SGA expect to be taken seriously following comments like that? How can Alex Hogg retain credibility when offences on the public record exist to completely refute his assertion? A classic case of delusion, living in a bubble, call it what you will, but it’s frightening that people are expected to accept this drivel as a professional response and , in a grown up world, consider it to hold any relevance at all. I’m speechless as to how they can consider themselves sane members of Society!!!
None so blind as those who don’t want to see!
The real problem , on this occasion, is that this TV company actually choose to use such a discredited organisation, with such obvious lies, as some kind of rebuttal to the true statements of experienced observers of raptor persecution.Why??
If this was a programme about the drug problem, would they use any pro-drugs organisation which denied the problem existed??
Lets have a truthful debate on raptor persecution, otherwise its just a meaningless shouting match…
Just watched the clips…….I think somebody has needed a wee bit dutch courage to enable them to spout nonsense in public.
Watched the programme, a bit fragmented but some good statements on behalf of raptors! Note Hogg’s comments, “we would like….” and remember such requirements are wanted on behalf of commercial grouse shooting wanting birds of prey controlled, culled if necessary, in order to support a commercial activity or an excessively minority activity practised on an unabashed self serving basis. 21st Millenium folks.
link to piece http://www.channel4.com/news/catch-up/display/playlistref/120214/clipid/120214_HUNT_12
interestingly Martin Harper, Conservation director of the RSPB has just mentioned John’s petition on his blog while discussing the theme of tonight’s programme. the RSPB still have the power to push the petition over the 10,000 mark simply by emailing some of their members. a simple act, I was surprised and disappointed this wasn’t mentioned in the recent edition of the RSPB magazine. the same procedure could be used to address the situation regarding vicarious liability in England and Wales. it’s time for the RSPB to get off the fence, to stop talking quietly in private, get this dirty laundry out in public and protect our wildlife here at home
Thanks, Merlin. I skim read the Blog and missed the reference first time round! I could be cynical and say, in the light of criticism, that the minimal emphasis is simply to be able to say that RSPB did finally support it. Given they’ve known about it since before its registration I suppose to mention it in the last fortnight of its “existence” says something!!! I’ve no doubt the RSPB puts its weight into promoting the need for action etc , but its so muted and without real convincing substance. When do we see some zeal and convincing commitment? John.