‘Illogical’ Government bid to tighten hunting laws
A new bill introduced to the Scottish parliament would ban trail-hunting
THE Scottish Government’s move to tighten hunting laws is “illogical” and an “unjustified attack on rural Scotland”.
The Hunting with Dogs Bill was introduced to parliament in Scotland on 24 February, after a public consultation that had more than 11,000 responses, but the results and analysis have not yet been made public.
Scottish environment minister Màiri McAllan said her aim is to close loopholes and “prevent others opening”, including a “preemptive” ban on trail-hunting to “reduce the risk of wild mammals being killed by dogs”.
“However, I should like to be clear, that foxes can cause significant harm to livestock, as well as other wildlife – so it is important farmers and land managers have access to control measures that are efficient and humane,” she said. “This legislation provides that.”
At present in Scotland, more than two hounds may still flush foxes to guns. But this bill seeks to change this, and would also add significant red tape for packs. There is provision for the use of dogs to search for, stalk or flush a wild mammal in “specified circumstances”. For example, preventing serious damage to livestock, timber or crops.
A licence must be obtained for more than two dogs to be used; applicants would have to show there were no other satisfactory control methods available.
The Scottish Countryside Alliance (SCA) has warned any licensing scheme must be “workable and practical”.
“Farmers and land managers will understandably be asking why the Scottish Government is intent on compromising their livelihoods in direct contradiction to both the science and its own review,” said SCA director Jake Swindells.
Lord Bonomy’s 2016 review found using packs of hounds to flush foxes to guns was “a significant pest control measure”, and a restriction on numbers could “seriously compromise effective pest control”.
Mr Swindells added: “This legislation is an unnecessary and unjustified attack on rural Scotland.”