Wildlife worry

This is one of the reasons why the National Wildlife Crime Unit was set up, although its work is not merely confined to grouse moors. On the contrary, it has a remit taking in everything from badger-baiting to illegal trade in endangered species.

Hardly surprising, then, that there are doubts over whether it can fulfil this remit when it is funded on a piecemeal, short-term basis. The Government trumpets the fact that the unit has been funded for another year, but this is a long way from securing its future.

If the unit is to remain effective, it needs to be able to plan on a long-term basis and not constantly worrying over its future. And that means receiving assurances on funding that the Government is so far refusing to give.