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Panel to examine licensing of sporting estates Panel to examine licensing of sporting estates
(about 3 hours later)
An independent group has been appointed to examine the possibility of licensing Scotland's sporting estates.An independent group has been appointed to examine the possibility of licensing Scotland's sporting estates.
The move by Scottish ministers is in response to a study of satellite-tagged golden eagles which concluded a third had died "suspiciously".The move by Scottish ministers is in response to a study of satellite-tagged golden eagles which concluded a third had died "suspiciously".
Scottish estates and gamekeepers say licensing is unnecessary and could be "open to abuse".Scottish estates and gamekeepers say licensing is unnecessary and could be "open to abuse".
However, wildlife conservation groups such as RSPB Scotland argue self-regulation of estates has not worked.However, wildlife conservation groups such as RSPB Scotland argue self-regulation of estates has not worked.
The new panel will look at mountain hare culls and other moorland management methods.The new panel will look at mountain hare culls and other moorland management methods.
Sporting estates where people can pay to shoot grouse and deer are found across Scotland, including the Highlands, Angus, Aberdeenshire and in the south of Scotland.Sporting estates where people can pay to shoot grouse and deer are found across Scotland, including the Highlands, Angus, Aberdeenshire and in the south of Scotland.
'Collaborative efforts'
Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said: "We very much welcome the announcement of this inquiry and of the independent panel. We look forward to giving evidence to the panel in due course.Duncan Orr-Ewing, head of species and land management for RSPB Scotland, said: "We very much welcome the announcement of this inquiry and of the independent panel. We look forward to giving evidence to the panel in due course.
"The remit of the panel includes consideration as to how grouse moors can be managed sustainably and within the law."The remit of the panel includes consideration as to how grouse moors can be managed sustainably and within the law.
"There are significant public concerns about how grouse moors are currently being managed in Scotland, including clear evidence gathered over decades of the illegal killing of birds of prey.""There are significant public concerns about how grouse moors are currently being managed in Scotland, including clear evidence gathered over decades of the illegal killing of birds of prey."
David Johnstone, chairman of Scottish Land & Estates, said the appointment of the expert group was a "significant step forward" in establishing a base of independent research "to inform the future of the sector".
He added: "The moorland management community will engage constructively with the group throughout the review and we will be writing to them in the near future to outline the key areas in which we intend to make evidence-based submissions to the review."
"We fully understand concerns about wildlife crime and have a long-standing position that it is wholly unacceptable in any form. There has been significant progress made in this area through collaborative efforts and this has resulted in declining incidents of wildlife crime."
Susan Davies, director of conservation at Scottish Wildlife Trust said: "The Scottish Wildlife Trust has been consistently calling for better regulation and a move towards more sustainable management of Scotland's uplands.
"Taking a land stewardship approach would have clear benefits for Scotland's wildlife, but also our economy and society.
"To ensure we move forward towards this goal it is vital that the inquiry draws on the evidence and recommendations contained in the review on sustainable moorland management published by Scottish Natural Heritage in 2015."