Press release from RSPB Scotland (19 December 2019) in response to today’s publication of the Werritty Review on grouse moor management in Scotland.
Independent grouse moor review does not go far or fast enough to tackle raptor crimes
We support the recommendations relating to regulation of muirburn and better safeguards for mountain hare populations, however regret that panel behind the report has not been bold enough to recommend the immediate licensing of driven grouse moors.
Previously Scottish Government Ministers have publicly stated that driven grouse moor owners are ‘in the last chance saloon’, and we now expect these commitments to be honoured.
Given the overwhelming evidence of serious organised crimes perpetrated against our birds of prey, as well as the harm caused to upland habitats and species by grouse moor management practices, we will be asking the Cabinet Secretary to consider the ‘wider societal views’ mentioned by Professor Werritty and make the necessary ‘step change’ to grouse moor licensing, conditional on legal and sustainable practices, and to ensure that this is done as soon as possible. A licensing framework would in our view set a new direction for the legal and sustainable management for large areas of our upland landscapes, as well as providing a meaningful deterrent to wildlife crime.
[Photo: satellite-tagged hen harrier Rannoch was found on a Perthshire grouse moor earlier this year – her leg had been caught in an illegally-set spring trap so she’ll have suffered an horrendous death. Photo by RSPB Scotland]
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management at RSPB Scotland, said: “We commend Professor Werritty and his panel for pulling together such a significant volume of scientific evidence and stakeholder testimony which we will consider in detail. However, we are concerned that more urgency is now needed to address the criminality and poor land management practices on Scottish grouse moors that have been highlighted for decades.
“It is very important to remember that the background to this review was the overwhelming evidence base of the link between serious organised wildlife crime and grouse moor management; the ever-intensifying management of this land to produce excessive grouse bags leading to the killing of protected wildlife; as well as public concerns about huge culls of mountain hares; and burning of heather on deep peatland soils. Addressing these issues is now even more essential to combat both the climate emergency and nature crisis, which were confirmed as priorities by First Minister Nicola Sturgeon earlier this year.”
Duncan added: “The illegal killing of Scotland’s birds of prey simply has to stop. Those perpetrating these criminal acts have shown no willingness over decades to change their criminal behaviours. Letting this issue languish for another half decade will not help, and we fully expect more prevarication. Even whilst this review has been underway serious and well-publicised wildlife crimes have continued unabated, and delay fails to acknowledge the most urgent circumstances which led to its commission. The Scottish public have had enough. It is now vital that the next steps by Scottish Government are sufficient to bring closure to these appalling incidents, which blight Scotland’s international reputation.”
ENDS
Notes:
- It is now 20 years since Scotland’s first First Minister, Donald Dewar, described raptor persecution as a “national disgrace”. Subsequently successive Environment Ministers have promised to take firm action if illegal behaviours on grouse moors are not stopped.
- The formation of the Werritty Grouse Moor Review Group was announced by the Cabinet Secretary, Roseanna Cunningham MSP, in May 2017, following the publication of a Government-commissioned report examining the fates of satellite-tagged golden eagles. This report showed that of 131 birds tracked between 2004-16, 41 disappeared in ‘suspicious circumstances’, primarily on land managed as driven grouse moors. This was the latest in a succession of scientific reports that have conclusively demonstrated the harm that grouse moor management is causing to various bird of prey species and to mountain hare populations. Scientific reports have also confirmed the damage caused by muirburn (burning of heather on open moor) to Scotland’s peat soils – which act as vital carbon stores and are critical to combating climate change.
- RSPB Scotland has made the case to the Review Group that grouse moors should be licensed with the sanction to remove licences to operate where raptor and other wildlife crime is occurring to the satisfaction of the public authorities. This action would act as a genuine deterrent to wildlife crime.
- RSPB Scotland has also called for the cessation of large-scale mountain hare culls and muirburn on peatland soils. RSPB Scotland believes that licensing of grouse moors should also put in place a framework involving all stakeholders to protect these important public interests in the way our upland landscapes are managed in the future.
Raptor Persecution UK 
I definitely agree; 20 years of a ‘National Disgrace’ is far too many, and another five even more so. The time for prevarication has come to an end. Effective legislation and an effective policing force are required NOW!
It is obvious that other methods, such as asking Estates to ‘self police’ have not, and are not working, for whatever reason.
The Grouse-shooting industry, had their chance, but in their ignorance, they thought they’d never really be caught. Now it has come to the bit where the warnings have become actions and they have no one to blame but themselves. They seem to think they had the right to do what they wanted, when they wanted – and did so. Now it has come back to bite them and I for one think it didn’t come soon enough. These people have spoken to us, as if we were too stupid to understand the issues and they were wrong. I really look forward to the day when, if shooting continues, it will have all of the regulations to prevent them doing as they pleased, for so long. They had their chance to behave and have demonstrated they need compulsion, as ‘voluntary’ was a joke amongst them !
Over the years the shooting industry in Scotland has repeatedly been offered the olive branch of compromise by conservationists [including the RSPB, remember the support for removal of rates on “sporting estates”?]..and we always get slapped in the face. Enough, we expect our government to respond swiftly and firmly against uncompromising criminals…heres you chance. Now get on with it!
FFS! The RSPB has lost the plot. Licensing is EXACTLY what the fun-killers want (despite their public protestations) and Werrity has delivered it to them on a plate, with a nice little 5-year delay as an Xmas bonus. We might as well license burglary whilst we’re at it. I despair. If/when DGS is licensed then a ban (i.e. the ONLY solution) will be light years away. REVIVE need to have a word with themselves too.
Until the landowners themselves are held directly responsible for the illegal trapping and killing of endangered species that happens on there land . It will never stop and being as it’s the elite landed gentry who run the country. Well need I say more.
I agree wholeheartedly.