LAND USE AND ENVIRONMENT


Landowners unite to condemn illegal poisoning


Landowners across Scotland have joined together to condemn the illegal poisoning of protected birds of prey


Landowners on farms and estates across Scotland came together to call for an end to the illegal poisoning of protected birds of prey. A letter was sent to the Minister for Environment, Roseanna Cunningham, which clearly laid out the position of landowners across Scotland. There were well over 200 signatories to the letter and the list is still growing, 250 at the last count. From initial discussions within the SRPBA, landowners across Scotland started to e-mail and contact each other to build support for a letter they wished to send to put the record straight on what they think of the illegal poisoning.


The message was unequivocal: illegal poisoning of protected birds of prey must stop and the full weight of the law must be brought to bear on those found guilty and convicted of these crimes. All landowners and those who work on the land are damaged by these criminal acts


of a very small minority. Strong words, but it was also made clear that no finger was being pointed in any direction and clearly it is up to the police and courts to decide who is guilty of criminal offences, especially when such cases are not always as clear-cut as they may be reported in the media. Facts, sound evidence and criminal convictions are required before guilt can be attributed. This has always been the SRPBA’s position. Such is the strength of feeling on this matter that members are strongly urged to add their support and get in contact with the SRPBA, adding your name to the list.


Anyone who wishes to support should e-mail grassroots@srpba.com The letter is right:


LANDBUSINESS ISSUE 36 JUNE-JULY 2010 19


Roseanna Cunningham, MSP Minister for Environment Scottish Rural and Environment Directorate Pentland House 47 Robb’s Loan Edinburgh EH14 1TY


Dear Minister We believe this is an appropriate time to reinforce our position in relation to the illegal poisoning of wildlife in Scotland. As you know, the Scottish Estates Business Group and the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association have repeatedly condemned such incidents.


However, we have now taken the view that the efforts being made by many rural interests to tackle wildlife crime will be further assisted by individual estates stating unequivocally their condemnation of illegal poisoning.


We do not presume guilt nor refer to any particular incident, but the apparent deliberate poisoning of protected species in recent years has left us utterly dismayed.


It is widely recognised that wildlife management is a complex business that continually throws up new challenges, but nothing can justify illegal activity. It is for us a straightforward decision to underline our view of illegal poisoning. Frankly, we condemn it out of hand and it has to stop.


Those of us who live and work in the Scottish countryside are appalled by such behaviour. The only thing that is achieved by such acts is the undermining of the excellent work that is done day in, day out on Scottish estates by owners, land managers and gamekeepers in terms of animal welfare and conservation of Scotland’s natural heritage.


The message must go out to the people who indulge in such criminal behaviour that what they do is totally unacceptable to the overwhelming majority who have the true interests of the countryside at heart.


We will continue to do everything we can to ensure that message is conveyed across the land management sector. We also support the full weight of the law being brought to bear on those who are involved in illegal poisoning and endorse the efforts of the Partnership for Action against Wildlife Crime, in which our representative organisations are active and enthusiastic participants.


We hope this letter will be useful to the Scottish Government as it continues to address the issue of wildlife crime and any of us would be willing to discuss this further with you if you felt it would help. We do propose to make the contents of this letter public and will be issuing a media statement.


Yours Sincerely, Landowners across Scotland


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56