Scottish Countryside Alliance welcomes review of the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act

As part of its newly-published Programme for Scotland, the Scottish Government has undertaken to review the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act to "ensure that it is providing the necessary level of protection for foxes and other wild mammals, while at the same time allowing effective and humane control where necessary".

Scottish Countryside Alliance director Jamie Stewart said: "We welcome the Scottish Government's proposal to review the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002 and its commitment to the humane and effective management of wild mammals. We look forward to helping the Government understand the tight operational protocols with which Scottish gamekeepers and foxhound packs comply.

"Scotland has led the way on legislating for the protection of wild mammals whilst maintaining an understanding of the necessity to control pest species for the protection of farmed, domestic and other wild animals. The use of dogs to flush foxes from cover to be shot is an essential part of this control. This review of legislation is simply part of the ongoing work commitment of the Scottish Government. The Act has been in operation since 2002 and more than 75 people have been convicted of deliberately hunting wild mammals with dogs, with a 54% conviction rate - double that for offences against badgers in the same time frame. This is by any terms 'robust'."

For more information, contact Jamie Stewart on 01890 818554 or email [email protected]