Glorious 12th: Grouse-shooting season under way with row over licensing bid

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill currently wending its way through the Scottish Parliament, seeks to implement many recommendations of the Werritty review in December 2019, which called for widespread changes to grouse moor management and the regulation of traps.

If passed by MSPs, licences would be required to kill grouse and inspectors would be given increased powers to investigate suspected wildlife crime. In a move critics say is “excessively disproportionate” licences could be suspended by NatureScot (the equivalent of Natural England) if an official investigation is initiated.

The Moorland Association (MA), which represents landowners controlling 1m acres of upland moorland in England, is in favour of a “robust” system of self-regulation.

However there’s pressure for a ban from campaigners like TV naturalist Chris Packham who claims “killing birds for fun...comes at a terrible expense,” citing the 98 satellite-tagged hen harriers which have been “killed or mysteriously have disappeared on or near driven grouse moors” since 2018.

The RSPB, meanwhile, want similar licensing arrangements to Scotland to be introduced in England.

They said: “Those responsible grouse moor managers who wish to work within the law and deliver sustainable land management should have nothing to fear from this approach.”

MA chair Mark Cunliffe-Lister insists a licensing system is not justified. He argues grouse moors provide environmental benefits from peatland restoration to blocking moorland “grips” to improve soil hydrology. He said members are “totally opposed” to the illegal killing of raptors, adding: “There have been remarkable increases in the number of birds of prey in England, not least buzzards and red kite ...only three of our 21 native species of birds of prey are now red-listed as of most conservation concern.

"Hen harriers are at their highest number for a century and this turnaround is due in no small part to the enormous commitment of estates and keepers who are members of the Moorland Association.”

The MA say the grouse season adds £100m to the UK economy and supports over 2,500 jobs.

Mr Cunliffe-Lister said: “Almost everyone who goes out shooting during the season would say that it isn’t about the number of birds on the day, but the enjoyment of the social side of the sport, being together on the moors and celebrating this long-standing rural tradition. Grouse moor management provides absolutely the best outcomes for our economy, nature and local communities.”