Progress welcomed on trap licensing measures – but acute concerns still remain

Press Release

Pragmatic amendments to the wildlife trap section of the draft Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill have been welcomed by moorland managers – but serious concerns that the legislation will compromise efforts to tackle biodiversity loss still remain.

Scottish Land & Estates, which represents rural businesses across Scotland, issued the following statement following the start of Stage 2 of the Bill at the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, with the remaining amendments covering grouse shooting and muirburn licensing to be considered by the committee on February 21.

Ross Ewing, Director of Moorland at Scottish Land & Estates, said:

“Our firm view is that the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill is an unnecessary measure but if it is to proceed, there is a need to ensure that it is not a flawed piece of legislation.

“We welcome the introduction of amendments by Environment Minister, Gillian Martin MSP, which will provide important legal safeguards to the operators of wildlife traps under the proposed trap licensing scheme.

“The provisions which have been amended out by the Minister would have enabled NatureScot to suspend wildlife trap licences without them being satisfied of a relevant offence having been committed, which would have been disproportionate and unworkable for operators.

“We also welcome the successful introduction of amendments which will make it a bespoke offence to tamper with or destroy a wildlife trap – a widespread issue facing practitioners across Scotland. Wildlife traps are extremely valuable tools for nature conservation, and it is encouraging to see those that operate them gain an additional level of protection against vexatious offences. 

“We remain strongly opposed to the Minister’s amendment which will prohibit snaring and the use of humane cable restraints. Scotland has already lost nearly half of its historic land-based biodiversity and there will be an enduring negative impact on red-listed ground nesting birds and other biodiversity as a direct consequence of this decision. It is not by accident that many of their last remaining strongholds are in areas where active predator control – including the use of humane cable restraints – is taking place.”