SLE comments on Wildlife Crime in Scotland Annual Report 2020-2021

Press Release

Scottish Land & Estates has issued the following statement following publication of the Wildlife Crime in Scotland Annual Report for 2020-2021.

Sarah Jane Laing, Chief Executive at Scottish Land & Estates, said: “Rural businesses play an important role in addressing the nature and biodiversity crisis and working with partners to tackle wildlife crime is in everyone’s interests. The latest wildlife crime report shows continued progress in many areas, albeit with a significant rise in cases of fish poaching and hare coursing.   

“The increase in poaching is a concern but we are supportive of actions by government, police and stakeholders to increase public awareness and bring prosecutions. Similarly, we hope that the ability to achieve convictions for hare coursing will be aided by the recently passed Hunting with Dogs (Scotland) Act. 

“As the report states, crimes against birds of prey are a high-profile form of wildlife crime but incidents have now been reduced to very low levels. Where isolated incidents do exist, we are fully supportive of Police Scotland taking quick and effective action to bring those responsible to justice. Raptor crime is wholly unacceptable, and our members are committed to assisting government and the police in this area.”