‘Workable’ Grouse Licensing Bill achievable after Stage 2 amendments

Press Release

Further changes to a proposed grouse moor management licensing scheme can help achieve a ‘workable’ grouse system licensing regime – but fears still remain that the scheme will introduce measures that will undermine best working practices.

Scottish Land & Estates commented following the completion of Stage 2 of the Bill at the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee.

Key points from day two of Stage 2 include:

• Removal from the Bill of arbitrary licence suspension without proof of an offence having been committed;
• The duration of grouse shoot licences increased from one year to five years;
• The removal of a provision which would have rendered muirburn as the tool of last resort;
• Earlier opening for the muirburn season, moved from October 1 to September 15, but also earlier closure from April 15 to March 31.

The Bill will now proceed to its last stage at Stage 3, which is expected to occur after the Easter recess.

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

“Management of land for grouse provides a huge social, economic and environmental contribution to Scotland and whilst we believe new legislation is excessive, any future regulation needs to be workable for the sector to operate within. 

“The proposed annual licence for grouse shooting did not reflect the long-term nature of grouse moor management and by increasing the duration of grouse shoot licences from one year to five years, the Scottish Government has recognised a more viable system had to be put in place.

“Likewise, significant concerns had been raised that licences could be suspended without NatureScot being satisfied that a relevant offence had been committed. This disproportionate power could have had serious consequences for businesses and livelihoods and we are glad that this has been recognised and rectified.

“The committee has also adopted pragmatic changes to the section on muirburn, recognising its importance as a land management tool for agriculture and moorland management – as well as its role in preventing wildfire. Whilst opening the muirburn season earlier will provide flexibility to land managers, we do not believe a sufficient assessment has taken place on also closing the season earlier. In closing the season earlier, concerns were highlighted regarding ground nesting birds but we do not believe these claims stand up to scientific scrutiny following a recent review of the impacts published in 2021.

“The government’s amendment which will add offences under section 19 of the Animal Health and Welfare (Scotland) Act 2006 as ‘relevant offences’ in the context of trap and grouse shoot licences is also concerning. The inclusion of these offences disproportionately widens the scope of the licensing scheme beyond the defined policy aim of addressing raptor persecution and in doing so, creates doubt over whether the licensing scheme is proportionate and reasonable.”