Here’s another senior MSP who decided to disregard the three-year sanction imposed in June this year on Moy Estate after Police Scotland provided evidence to demonstrate wildlife crime had taken place on the estate, notably the discovery of a poisoned red kite and incidents related to alleged trapping offences, although the estate has long been recognised as a raptor persecution hotspot (e.g. see here, scroll down to below the press release).
Sir Edward Mountain, 4th Baronet, the Scottish Conservative’s Deputy Chief Whip, attended Moy Game Fair earlier this month to present prizes on behalf of BASC:
So that’s now two senior MSPs (former Cabinet Secretary Fergus Ewing MSP was the other one), the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, Scottish Land & Estates, and BASC who all seem to have a very strange approach to the notion of ‘zero tolerance’ of raptor persecution.
Some of you might remember Ed Mountain claiming, in 2017, that he’d be “the fiercest critic” of anyone killing raptors. It was a claim he made in a guest article he wrote for the Scottish Gamekeepers Association’s quarterly rag. Here’s a reminder of what he wrote:
‘I believe that challenging the ‘spectre’ [of land management reform] is vital, if the very countryside we all value and love is to be maintained. The way to do this is by standing tall and laying out a stall, for all to see the benefits positive management has to offer. The problem is that every time it looks like the right story is being delivered another case of wildlife crime comes to light. If there is any chance of moving forward we must stop these idiots, who believe illegally killing raptors is acceptable.
I therefore would urge all organisations that represent country folk to stand up and let people know all the good work that is being done for conservation. At the same time, they also need to vilify those that break the law.
Over the next 4.5 years I look forward to working with the SGA and I will do all I can to defend the values you and your members believe in. However, I must also say that I will be the fiercest critic of those that jeopardise these values by breaking the law‘.
I asked at the time whether he’d put these strong words into action, but just a few months later he seemed reticent (see here).
This year he had the perfect opportunity to stand by his stated commitment against raptor persecution and boycott the Moy Estate. His actions, and those of his shooting industry mates, speak volumes.
Raptor Persecution UK 
Sir Edward Mountain, 4th Baronet, the Scottish Conservative’s Deputy Chief Whip – says it all
I hope action is taken but I won’t hold my breath.
All boys together now repeat after me we should not really tell fibs. Why o why are these people in office
A rare public display of the covert networks that define the hegemonic policical power structure that functions as a conduit for all that is despicable. As you see it is not Party specific.
A rare public display of the covert networks that define the hegemonic policical power structure that functions as a conduit for all that is despicable. As you see it is not Party specific.
He is a politician- what do you expect?
Likely when he said the ‘fiercest critic’ stuff he was (as most people whose hearts are by default on the shooting side) simply espousing the myth of the “rotten apple”. I don’t know whether he believes it to be the case or not. Or maybe he is working to bring about change from within? Just so very deeply within that he couldn’t possibly achieve anything – except seem like he isn’t bothered about the problem anymore.
Has any of these people who moan about killing raptors, is clearly ignorant of the amount of animals they kill, including lambs, which our farmers desperately need to survive. The RSPB have been interfering with nature for years, and are guilty of introducing birds into areas they are not native to. Perhaps its time to take a hard stance against the RSPB who are completely out of control, and. much too powerful. Our politicians must stand up for our farmers and estates against the RSPB.
It’s time to take “a hard stance” against bullshit merchants like you. The RSPB have never introduced a single non-native species. Go back to school.
Aye up GEL, tha must know the same folk as me – the Dungthwaites from Crap Rigg Farm? They had the best herd of pedigree dairy voles in lower Tossdale, then yon bloody townie RSVP birdie tw***s set loose a load of shiteawk thingies and what not. Of course they shot as many as they could but in’t end they had to give up the herd. The whole family took to drink and none of ’em has ever milked a vole since…sad in’t it?
Interfering with nature you say. Would that include burning heather, setting traps and snares, flailing hedges and draining moors?
“Our politicians must stand up for our farmers and estates against the RSPB.”
You’re not the Tory MP for Dorset West, are you? Trying to blame raptors for the bad husbandry of sheep farmers?