Scottish Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham will not be standing for re-election as an MSP at the spring 2021 election.
This decision was formally announced this morning, although it has been anticipated for some time.
[Environment Cabinet Secretary Roseanna Cunningham with a golden eagle. She famously commissioned a review on the fate of satellite-tagged golden eagles in Scotland which reported in 2017 and demonstrated unequivocally that illegal persecution on or close to some driven grouse moors continues to suppress this species’ population in the central and eastern Highlands. Photographer unknown]
Here’s the official statement:
All eyes now on the Scottish Government’s long overdue response to the Werritty Review, expected to be announced ‘in the coming months‘ which is such a typically vague and lethargic commitment to an issue that should have been dealt with, robustly and decisively, years ago.
Will Roseanna Cunningham leave her mark by finally agreeing to implement a grouse moor licensing scheme without further delay?
TAKE ACTION
You can help apply political pressure. If you’re sick to the back teeth of illegal raptor persecution on driven grouse moors, please consider participating in this quick and easy e-action to send a letter to your local Parliamentary representative (MSP/MP/MS) urging them to finally get a grip on this issue. Launched on Hen Harrier Day by Wild Justice, RSPB and Hen Harrier Action, so far over 64,000 people have signed up.
This means that over 64,000 pre-written letters complaining about illegal raptor persecution and the environmental damage caused by intensive grouse moor management, are winging their way to politicians of all parties across the UK. If you want your local politician to receive one, Please join in HERE
Thank you
Raptor Persecution UK 
Wish her good luck in her future but sadly she will not be remebered as someone who made much advance in the fight against wildlife crime.
SNP are clearly not willing to grasp the nettle and stand up to some landowners or commercial interests.
Hopefully her successor will be prepared to implement some changes that actually make a difference. This might include licensing of driven grouse shooting, increased powers for SSPCA, increased regulation of hunting with dogs, relocating beaver in Scotland and proper sanctions for those that break the law or cause others to do so.
SNP need to seriously consider their role in protecting Scotlands environment and wildlife and stop treating the public like fools.
They need to consider their whole approach to everything in my opinion. The SNPs hatred of the english and their obsession with independence means they are not fit to deal with actual issues. A bit like the tories obsession with brexit and their inability to deal with anything the voting electorate actually need or care about. Nationalistic, insular parties will never offer much to the tax paying public and even less to the environment and wildlife
‘The SNPs hatred of the english.’
Evidence?
I see little or no action towards independence, which would explain the formation of pro-inde pressure groups.
Precisely. Every major Indy blogger is frustrated at the lack of action from the SNP.
I have never come across any anti-Englishness in the Indy movement, although i am sure there must be some.
Nor anti-Englishness in the SNP.
Anti-Westminster rule is not anti-English.
That will be 2 ex-Env Ministers retiring next year, her and Michael Russell. Raptor crime and Independence fails.
I have mixed feelings. These are people who have experience and know all the angles, they know the history. I am afraid there are a lot of new people coming up to fill their shoes who have some dubious agendas hence the blocking of Joanna Cherry. We will see but it feels weird that after years of letter writing they can just disappear as if it never happened. I hope i am wrong and at least we have licensing ASAP.
During my 25 years with the RSPB I saw at least 8 or 9 environment ministers come and go in Scotalnd…not all SNP…it was obvious that the environment was not near the top of any party’s list. Very frustrating to feel youve got one on side..and then they leave.