Following this afternoon's debate in the Scottish Parliament on Wildlife Crime, Eradicating raptor persecution from Scotland, an RSPB Scotland spokesperson said:
“We welcome today's debate and support the commitment of the Scottish Government to tackle the illegal killing of our native bird of prey species. The introduction of vicarious liability; the current consultation on increasing the investigatory powers of the Scottish SPCA; the review of penalties available to the courts; and the publication of an annual Wildlife Crime Report are all positive measures. We also acknowledge the cross political party support on this matter, including the Scottish Government’s acceptance of the Scottish Labour amendment “to conduct a study of licensing and game bird legislation in other countries with a view to working with other parties to review wildlife crime legislation in Scotland”.
Golden Eagle
“We have arrived in this situation following the recent shocking crimes involving the illegal poisoning of 22 red kites and buzzards in Ross-shire; the illegal poisoning and trapping of golden eagles; and most recently allegations of wildlife crime surrounding the disappearance of the first Scottish sea eagle chick to be fledged on the east coast of the country for about 200 years. These types of crime have been repeatedly occurring in Scotland over a long period of time, and those involved have had many warnings from successive Scottish Governments that this must stop. It is widely recognised that these incidents harm the populations of some of our most vulnerable bird species and damage Scotland’s international reputation as a country, which looks after its wildlife.”