Row over bird cull licences

Conservation bodies at odds over the killing rights of gamekeepers

A ROW has erupted between two leading conservation bodies over the authorised killing of wild birds.

The dispute between Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and RSPB Scotland follows the latter’s concerns that the issuing of general licences permitting the killing of some protected bird species in certain circumstances could be used to cover for killings.

The wildlife conservation charity said SNH had produced “very poor” proposals, with many flaws in response to the government body’s recent consultation.

RSPB Scotland said it does not believe SNH’s approach will contribute to “wider and helpful” Scottish Government efforts to tackle wildlife crimes against birds of prey. illegal raptor

General licences are issued annually to allow land managers, and certain other people, to kill a range of protected species such as some gulls, magpies and crows in situations where they are causing serious damage to crops or livestock.

They may also be culled if they are a threat to public health or safety or for the conservation of wild birds. The licences effectively allow unrestricted and un-monitored killing of otherwise protected species.

Although the licences permit some actions that are justified and necessary, RSPB Scotland said it has demonstrated this system can be used as “cover” for the criminal destruction of birds of prey, particularly through the abuse of cage traps.

To reduce their risk it has suggested the use of cage traps should be restricted seasonally to target the right species, and that these traps should not be placed in woodland on on an open hill.

An RSPB Scotland spokesman said: “A few years ago, the use of meat baits in certain cage traps was banned because this encouraged birds of prey to enter the traps. SNH then commissioned research that clearly confirmed this. Despite this, SNH has now said it will allow meat baits again, presumably in the full knowledge protected birds of prey will certainly become trapped.”

Ian Thomson, RSPB Scotland’s head of investigations, added: “The SNH proposals are very poor and represent yet another missed opportunity to tighten up the regulation of wild bird trapping in Scotland.

Robbie Kernahan, SNH’s head of national operations, said the most recent wildlife crime study north of the Border listed 18 bird of prey crimes for 2014-2015.

He added: “We are confident our general licences do not contribute to wildlife crimes in any way.”

“The licences are subject to specific terms and conditions and failing to comply with them may constitute a crime, as is using them for purposes other than how they are intended.”

He said the response to a public consultation on the issue was a “proportionate and considered approach to licensing”.