Tighter laws around grouse shooting in Scotland are now being considered 'in an effort to protect wildlife and the environment'.

ScotGov has announced that the new proposals, published for consultation this week, will ultimately form a new Wildlife Management (Grouse Moor) Bill, intended to ensure that grouse moors are managed in a sustainable way.

The consultation will seek views on a wide range of topics related to wildlife including:

  • introducing a licensing scheme for grouse shooting;
  • increased regulation of muirburn – the burning of vegetation to maintain moorland;
  • banning the use of glue traps;
  • increased regulation of other wildlife traps.

The Bill is intended to implement the recommendations set out in the Werritty Review, an independent report which called for widespread changes to grouse moor management and the use of traps in Scotland.

Environment Minister Mairi McAllan said: “Over a number of years, the Scottish Government has introduced a wide range of measures to tackle wildlife crime including a poisons amnesty, restrictions on general licences and most recently, significant increases in penalties for wildlife crimes.

“Despite these measures, the persecution of raptors persists in Scotland. That is why we commissioned the independent Werritty Review and why we will now move to implement its recommendations in full.

“I recognise that the management of grouse moors for grouse shooting makes an important contribution to the rural economy," stressed Ms McAllan. "However, it is clear that grouse moors must be managed in a sustainable and responsible way, ensuring minimal negative impact on other wildlife, and that we cannot tolerate raptor persecution by a destructive minority.”