Scottish government report on grouse shooting issues licensing ultimatum

After a two and a half year wait the Scottish Government has today published its official report into driven grouse shooting, The report was compiled with Professor Alan Werritty as chairman of the review group.

The review has recommended the introduction of a licensing scheme for driven grouse shooting if breeding populations of raptors show no marked improvement within five years. 

The report, which was chaired by  Professor Alan Werritty, Professor Emeritus of Physical Geography at University of Dundee, and his team, examines how it can be ensured that grouse moor management continues to contribute to the rural economy while remaining environmentally sustainable. 

As well as recommending that a failure to improve the environmental sustainability of grouse moors within  five years should result in the implementation of a licensing scheme, the report makes several other recommendations. In particular, the report calls for tighter controls on the use of medicated grit, muirburning and the management of mountain hares. The review concludes that one third of tagged golden eagles had disappeared under suspicious circumstances.

Professor Werritty said: 

“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."

The proposed licensing scheme would require grouse shooting estates to complete extra paperwork for organisaions like Scottish Natural Heritage.

The Werritty Report also recommends that land managers be compelled to report each year to Scottish Natural Heritage on mountain hare numbers and the number that they plan to cull. 

A joint statement issued by BASC, Scottish Countryside Alliance, Scottish Gamekeepers' Association, Scottish Association for Country Sports and Scottish Land & Estates said that the report would mean a "seismic change" for grouse moors. 

The statement said:

“The sector has already willingly embraced change and improvements in how it operates,” the statement said.

“We believe further enhanced training and codes of practice covering muirburn, mountain hare management and medicated grit are the best solution rather than onerous licensing provisions.”