Scottish grouse moor review finally published

The Scottish Government's Independent Grouse Moor Review Group, chaired by Professor Alan Werrity, has today [19 December] published its long-awaited report.

The review group was asked to examine how it can be ensured that grouse moor management continues to contribute to the rural economy while also being environmentally sustainable.

It has recommended the introduction of a shooting licensing scheme if breeding populations of raptors show no marked improvement over the next five years, as well as new or enhanced regulation of other grouse moor management practices such as muirburn (the burning of heather on moorland), the use of medicated grit and Mountain Hare culling, each of which has attracted criticism or concern.

While waiting for the Werritty Report, illegal persecution of raptors such as Hen Harrier continued unabated (Ed Stubbs).

Professor Werritty summarised: "When I accepted the invitation from the Scottish Government to lead an expert review on grouse shooting, I had not fully appreciated the complexity of the issues involved, the passion with which contrasting views were held, or the length of time the review would require.

"Our remit invited us to make recommendations to reduce the illegal killing of raptors, but at the same time to give due regard to the socio-economic contribution that grouse shooting makes to Scotland’s rural economy. Both topics have proved complex and problematic.

"In order to have a unanimous recommendation on this key issue with the authority that implies, the group proposes a five-year probationary period for specified raptors on or near grouse shooting estates to recover to a favourable conservation status. Should this target fail to be achieved, licensing should be introduced immediately. We all agree that it is the only way forward in that situation."

RSPB Scotland has given a cautious welcome to the publication, but is disappointed that the panel has not been bold enough to recommend the immediate introduction of licensing on driven grouse moors.

Scottish Government ministers have publicly stated in the past that driven grouse moor owners are 'in the last chance saloon' and, the organisation said, these commitments are now expected to be honoured.

The mass killing of Mountain Hares was highlighted as an area for improvement by the report (Martyn Jones).

RSPB Scotland said in a statement: "Given the overwhelming evidence of serious organised crimes perpetrated against 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."

Duncan Orr-Ewing, Head of Species and Land Management at RSPB Scotland, added: "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; and 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.

"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 behaviour. Letting this issue languish for another half-decade will not help, and we fully expect more prevarication. Even while 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. 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."

It was the shocking scale of illegal killing of Golden Eagles in Scotland that first brought about the review (Josh Jones).

The Raptor Persecution UK blog issued a stronger response. It said: "On a first skim of the executive summary, this proposed delay has no justification other than to appease the grouse-shooting reps on the supposedly 'independent' panel.

"As far as we're concerned, another five-year delay is totally unacceptable. If the panel has accepted the need for reform, which it has, unanimously, then reform needs to begin now."

However, crucially, Scottish Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham did say: "I believe the option of a licensing scheme will need to be considered and – if required – implemented earlier than the five-year timeframe suggested by the review group."

She added: "I would like to thank Professor Werritty and the other members of the Grouse Moor Management Group for undertaking this important review and for their extensive work over the last two years."

The report can be read in full on the Scottish Government website.