The SGA has issued the following response to the official figures from Scottish Government which showed a record low, since records began in 2004, of recorded bird of prey crimes in Scotland.
In 2017, there was only one recorded case of raptor poisoning in Scotland.
The SGA has also called for a review of how satellite tags are monitored in Scotland.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association Chairman Alex Hogg said: “In 2010, in Scotland, there were 22 cases of raptor poisoning which was unacceptable.
"Seven years on, we are looking at 1 case, with shooting and trapping reduced substantially as well. Few, if any, types of crime in this country have declined at such a rate. This is welcomed by the SGA.
“The SGA has expelled 6 members in 6 years for wildlife crime convictions.
"Going forward, we believe satellite tagged birds should be monitored independently, in the same way SASA currently handles poisoning cases for Government, so that everyone involved in tackling this issue can understand more about any loss of transmission from tags and can develop future strategy, from a position of trust.”
While the SGA acknowledges that persecution still exists and will continue in its efforts to reduce this further in Scotland, the organisation believes it is important to remember how far things have come in Scotland in the last 10 years.
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| Obtained through FOI from Police Scotland, this graph, up until 2014-2015 (anticipated updates will show a similar but reducing pattern) shows wildlife crime set against other types of recorded crime in Scotland. |
