Protection for hares is challenged
A move to make mountain hares a protected species has angered a Perth-based group representing gamekeepers who argue it will lead to “the demise of another iconic species”.
MSPs voted to approve an amendment proposed by the Scottish Greens to the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill last week affording mountain hares full legal protection.
But the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association (SGA) believes the law leaves rural workers with little ability to manage populations and has vowed to protest the move at the Scottish Parliament as soon as restrictions on public gatherings are lifted.
The group, who argue the number of hares needs to be controlled to prevent diseases spreading and to protect fragile habitats, is even considering fielding candidates in next year’s election “to ensure the working countryside is represented better” at Holyrood.
SGA chairman Alex Hogg said immediately after the vote: “A grave mistake has been made today. This is a bad law, made by people it will not impact on.
“There will be no satisfaction in turning around in a few years and saying ‘we told you so’ but, certainly, this is an important date in the demise of another iconic species, killed by political trade-offs and emotive campaigns.
“The views of the rural working people of the land have been ignored here. The system has failed them.”
And Mr Hogg wrote on his blog the next day: “The hardest thing to accept this morning is that centuries of land management or practitioner knowledge, which has left Scotland today with mountain hares up to 35 times more abundant on grouse moors than other moors, was ignored.
“So, too, was the science in three published, peer reviewed papers. The truth, it seems, will not out.”
Mr Hogg went on: “From today, all moorland gamekeepers have a duty to monitor the impacts of this Bill amendment on the hares themselves, the health of the hares, the condition of fragile and protected environments, the health of other moorland species, tick burdens and any woodland sites.
“All members must continue, as they have done for two years, to count their hares using the new methodology and retain that data safely, with [the Game and Wildlife Conservation Trust], and your own records, so it can be presented to Scottish Parliament.”
However Max Wiszniewski of campaign group Revive, which supported the amendment, remarked after the vote: “Iconic mountain hares are in decline and only legal protection will prevent their numbers falling.
“Today common sense has prevailed.”