Three regular readers of this blog (all from England actually) wrote to the Scottish government about recent cases of disappearing eagles and trapped Hen Harriers and got the same reply, part of which is produced below;
The wording doesn’t make it sound like Werritty ought to be too concerned at being ambitious for change… ‘a core of people determined to continue with their criminal actions‘ and ‘to keep taking action until we have dealt with this issue that continues to blight parts of Scotland‘.
I understand that ‘the next few weeks’ probably means September, maybe late September, rather than August, and then Scottish ministers will have to consider the report.
Only a full ban on intensive grouse shooting will remove the motive for raptor persection sufficiently to solve the problem, but if Werritty recommends licensing then that at least would be a step forward, a false step forward, but a step towards the eventual elimination of unsustainable grouse shooting from the uplands of one part of the UK.
As always, the Westminster government sits inert and idle on these issues. Wilfully blind and wilfully inactive – just shameful.
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I received the same reply yesterday.
I received my letter from the Scottish government yesterday. I was quietly pleased by a) getting a response and b) by the contents and intent expressed therein.
We will see how things progress over the coming weeks before making a final judgement on their assurances.
I’m not sure I’d hold my breath while waiting for significant change from the Werrity review. If there was really significant change coming then why is Scottish Natural Heritage entertaining the idea of adding, a protected species, the Raven, to General Licence #2,
https://raptorpersecutionscotland.wordpress.com/2019/07/18/snh-considering-the-merits-of-adding-ravens-to-general-licence-for-unregulated-slaughter/
Even though this is just a suggestion during the consultation period, it’s a serious own-goal, putting the credibility of any new arrangement in jeopardy. Particularly, since enforcement is proving to be a serious drawback with the current legislation.
I had the same reply too, I’ve never been convinced that the Werritty report will be any different to any of the other reports to the Scottish Parliament on this issue. They are really adept at gathering more information but pretty poor at taking decisive action even though they are streets ahead of the woeful shambles in Westminster ( When will we see the back of that awful woman Coffey?)
Even if licensing is recommended will they bring it in because a ban is not going to be part of that deal.
Having said that the new proposed penalties in Scotland could be a game changer.
A routine review of the General Licence, however unpalatable one part of it may be, is quite separate from a review like Werrity which is about the evidence needed for legislation. The Licence review tells you nothing about Werrity.
You have misread what I wrote. One of the possible options that Werritty may or may not recommend is the licensing of grouse moors, it is to that I was referring.
A review of the general licence in both England and Scotland is long overdue as in both countries the probability is that the licences are still riddled with illegality.
My mistake. I was replying to Stuart McKay.
At least with our government, you expect nothing and get nothing. The Scottish government has promised much but delivered little.
As for the Werritty report, well that seems to have been reporting ‘in a few weeks time’ since I was born! A very long time ago.
If people really want to help, maybe they could fill in the short and easy consultation (yes, another one) pointed out in yesterday’s RPUK blog.
Do as we did and highlight the importance of wildlife tourism to their country. That should stop them saying they can’t take English views into account.
It is surprising that the Scottish Government have said they can’t take English views into consideration. Where do they say that ?
They haven’t, I’m just being preemptive. Making sure they are inclusive of everyone who enjoys their country and pays into it in some way, and not exclusive. They’ve being dragging their heels on this for so many years that it really wouldn’t surprise me what they said any more.
or maybe I’m just sick of the lot of them.
Personally, I’m sick of always having to take English views into account about how we run our country. It has very seldom been to Scotland’s benefit to do so. Even the blight of grouse shooting came up from south the Rio Tweed in the first place. I want Scotland to do better, I want grouse shooting, and deer stalking, and all the associated Victoriana gone, but I’ll be damned if it is just to keep the English happy that we do it.
If you live anywhere but Scotland, then nose out.
I think Scotland is a bit bigger than that. I’d be very happy to see constructive comment from England, France, Germany or anywhere else and the Scottish Government’s approach generally would indicate the same. Some English comment reveals pretty disturbing attitudes to the relationship between the two countries but, with the most poisonous media in Europe, that’s hardly surprising and its no reason to close down dialogue.
Oh I agree, I’d welcome input from France, Germany, Wales, Northern Ireland, Mongolia, pretty much anywhere else. But then, they have not been the ones treating us as their last colony.
Toujours la politesse!
Very happy for Scottish independence if that is what the majority in Scotland want.
Wildlife in Scotland or England knows no borders – I’m hoping for Golden Eagle migration to England eventually and will certainly not be “butting out” if my views are not excluded which they were not in this case.
I had this reply too and was slightly encouraged that at least some action will soon be taken against the raptor persecutors in Scotland; seems I’m in the minority – the Raptor Persecution blog is very dismissive of the letter’s wording.
P.S. Pleased to see this blog’s new “replies” link/counter up and running!
I had three replies, all the same. You could say 3×0=0. But then, as an ex-civil servant, it was what I expected. No government is going to say anything ahead of a widely anticipated report. Let’s wait, it could be more helpful than feared. But we should be concerned about subsequent procrastination by the Scottish government. It’s their default on most things just now, and public patience is wearing thin. Just possibly, we can do something about it in this case.