SEBG News
Estates Pledge to Lead in Fight Against Wildlife Crime
26th August 2009The Scottish Estates Business Group, which represents progressive rural estates, said today that estates are committed to taking a leading role in the fight against wildlife crime.
The group, whose members include prominent estates throughout Scotland, issued the following statement in response to the publication of the Royal Society of Birds annual report on the illegal killing of birds of prey in Scotland.
Sir Alastair Gordon Cumming, chairman of SEBG, said: “The RSPB report highlights illegal and totally unacceptable activities which only serve to undermine the extensive conservation efforts of estates, landowners and land managers throughout Scotland.
“We welcome the RSPB’s recognition that illegal poisoning is carried out by a very small number of people and as estates we are committed to do what we can to eradicate it. The people who do this kind of thing may think there is something to be gained but in reality it is the road to nowhere and a great disservice to those of us who have the interests of wildlife conservation at heart.
“We are resolute in playing our part in tackling this issue both as a group and as active members of the Partnership for Action Against Wildlife Crime.
“The RSPB report makes many sound recommendations and we share their desire to see the courts taking strong action against those convicted of wildlife crime. We would, however, sound a note of caution on the issue withdrawal of Single Farm Payment. This sanction may be appropriate where an estate has been complicit in the illegal activity of an employee but there needs to be further thought given to situations where illegal activity is carried out without an estate’s knowledge by a sporting tenant or employee.
“Our Group’s policy is quite clear. Our Group expects its Members to adhere to best practice. A member convicted of a wildlife crime will have their membership withdrawn. Members should put the necessary employment terms in place to rule against breaches and to take disciplinary action against any employee convicted of an offence which, depending on the nature and seriousness of the offence, may include dismissal. If disciplinary action is not taken against an employee who has been found guilty of a wildlife crime, then that member will be asked to leave the Group. Similarly, Members are expected to make sporting leases conditional upon tenants, their employees and managers adhering to best practice, with tenancies being subject to termination in the event of a conviction for wildlife crime.”
“Our Members are involved in numerous bird of prey initiatives including red kite reintroductions, fostering and tracking ospreys, managing ground for golden eagles, or creating ‘wild tourism’ opportunities to give the public greater insight into how these birds live.
“This is the kind of work that estates are committed to and we would appeal to those people in the margins who continue to use illegal poisons to end once and for all this obscene practice.”
About SEBG:
SEBG represents a group of progressive land-based estates with significant agricultural and rural business interests. It aims to promote a modern business approach in the management of Scotland's land resource in ways which deliver social, economic and environmental benefits. The Group seeks to secure a sustainable and prosperous future for rural areas and its members work hard across Scotland to stimulate enterprise and economic development.
Further information:
Polly McPherson:
pollymcpherson@sebg.org
Tel: 07810891831
