The licensing of grouse shooting: Take action now

The Scottish Government is asking for views on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill which, if passed by the Scottish Parliament, would make the shooting of red grouse illegal unless licensed. Although a licensing system would be introduced to enable shooting to take place, those licences could be revoked if conditions were breached. 

The Bill is also looking at: banning the use and purchase of glue traps; introducing a licensing system for the use of certain wildlife traps; extending the investigatory powers of Scottish SPCA inspectors under the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006; and extending the existing muirburn licensing system to require a licence all year round, with different licence conditions depending on whether this is carried out in the muirburn season (1 October to 15 April), outside the muirburn season, or on peatland. 

There is an opportunity for the Bill to be amended as it progresses through the Parliament, and given the potential impact on rural economies, businesses, and moorland wildlife and biodiversity, it is important that as many people as possible respond to the consultation that has been launched by the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, regardless of where they live. This will help inform how MSPs on the Committee scrutinise the provisions. 

It is important that their attention is drawn to the core issues, and Scottish Land & Estates, in conjunction with the Scottish Countryside Alliance and other rural organisations, have therefore produced a briefing note to help when responding to the consultation which can be obtained from shooting@countryside-alliance.org. The link to the consultation can be found here and the deadline for responses is Friday 5 May.