Estates urge Sturgeon to discuss hare control culls

GAMEKEEPERS have invited the First Minister to visit estates to find out about hare management after she warned that culls caught on film were ‘not acceptable’.

Nicola Sturgeon said she was ‘angry’ over footage filmed by animal rights charities which showed hares being shot.

She warned mass culls could put the conservation status of the species at risk and said legislation to protect hares is one option being considered.

At present landowners operate a voluntary restraint over the numbers culled. Now gamekeep-

‘Legal activity within laws’

ers have invited the First Minister and Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham to visit estates to see their work.

Duncan MacKenzie, head gamekeeper for the Clune and Corrybrough Estate in Inverness-shire, said: ‘It would be beneficial for everyone to get an understanding of why the hares need to be managed.’

He said the footage filmed by OneKind, League Against Cruel Sports and Lush showed ‘working people carrying out a legal management activity well within the laws passed by the Scottish Government’.

Charities behind the footage claim it shows the voluntary restraint agreement has ‘failed’ and want a ban until a review on the issue is concluded.