Question reference: S5W-26768
- Asked by: Gail Ross, MSP for Caithness, Sutherland and Ross, Scottish National Party
- Date lodged: 18 December 2019
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Current status: Initiated by the Scottish Government. Answered by Roseanna Cunningham on 19 December 2019
Question
To ask the Scottish Government when it will publish Professor Werritty’s report on grouse moor management.
Answer
The report to the Scottish Government by the Grouse Moor Management Review Group is being published today on the Scottish Government website https://www.gov.scot/groups/grouse-moor-management-group/
I would like to thank Professor Werritty and the other members for undertaking this important review and for their extensive work over the last two years.
The report was commissioned by the Scottish Government in response to a report from Scottish Natural Heritage which showed that around one-third of tagged golden eagles had disappeared on or around driven grouse moors. As well as the issue of raptor persecution, the review was asked to look at grouse moor management practices including muirburn, the use of medicated grit and mountain hare culls and also to examine regulatory options including possible licensing of grouse shooting businesses.
As committed in our Programme for Government, we will publish a full response to the report in due course. It is important that we give careful consideration to the recommendations, alongside other evidence, before issuing a response. This will include looking at the option of a licensing scheme and – if required – implementing that earlier than the five-year timeframe suggested by the review group.
An important part of this process will involve meeting key stakeholders to discuss the findings of the review.