Bird shooting licences to be refused where crime is suspected
Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) will prevent the use of 'general licences' to trap or shoot wild birds on land where there is evidence of wildlife crime against birds. This comes after the general licence was revised to incorporate some new species, after fears that common but harmless species such as Pied Wagtail and Robin were to be included if "causing genuine health and safety problems" — for example nesting in heating or ventilation ducts. It was decided that these species would not be included on the list for now, but that they can be trapped and released, along with Great and Blue Tits and Dunnock.
General licences allow landowners or managers to carry out actions which would otherwise be illegal, including controlling certain types of birds for conservation purposes or to protect crops or livestock. Species for which a general licence may be applied for include introduced species such as Egyptian and Greylag Geese (and from this year Sacred Ibis and House Crow), and species viewed as agricultural pests such as Rook, Magpie and Jackdaw.
Egyptian Goose, Petersfield, Hampshire (Photo: Chris Blake)
In Scotland, decisions on granting a licence will be made on the basis of strong evidence provided by the police, "based on a civil standard of proof rather than the criminal standard". This is in response to Scotland's Minister for the Environment and Climate Change, Paul Wheelhouse, who asked SNH to consider how general licences could be restricted to reduce raptor persecution. The new measures mean that where SNH has evidence that indicates that wildlife crime has been committed on an area of land, then the use of these licences can be restricted there. The measures — which have been developed in consultation with Police Scotland and others — will be backdated so that action will be taken where there is evidence of wrong-doing since January 1, 2014.
The new measure complements other recent actions to reduce wildlife crime, including a law of vicarious liability for offences against wild birds, introduced in 2011, and the review of penalties for wildlife crime offences that is currently underway. Restrictions will prevent people from using general licences on the land in question for three years. This period will increase if more evidence of offences comes to light.
Paul Wheelhouse said: "The illegal persecution of raptors is totally unacceptable and barbaric given [that] typically it is associated with great suffering on the part of the birds when they are illegally killed. It is also, quite rightly, roundly condemned by all responsible land managers and those in the conservation community. I am both angry and very frustrated that a criminal minority continues to kill and persecute these magnificent birds for their own selfish ends.
"It is too often the case that there is clear evidence that a crime has been committed, but the perpetrator is able to hide behind a wall of silence among those who really should be co-operating with the police. That is why I asked SNH to consider how better use can be made of general licenses, which, rather than a 'right' are a privilege that can and should be withdrawn where there is evidence of illegal activity taking place. I am confident these new measures will be a powerful new weapon in our armoury in the fight against those perpetrating raptor persecution in Scotland, and hopefully will deter those who might be tempted to commit such a selfish criminal act that stains Scotland's reputation and potentially damages the rural economy."
Ian Ross, SNH's chairman, said: "Nature-based tourism is worth £1.4 billion a year to Scotland's economy. Raptor persecution detracts from that value and diminishes Scotland's appeal as a major wildlife tourism destination. It can also damage the local economy as many locals and visitors are keen to see these magnificent birds in the wider countryside. And of course it causes an appalling level of natural heritage and wildlife damage.
