Scots landowners call for licence to kill birds of prey

[The Dragon Master]

A group of landowners is calling on the Scottish government to allow them to kill some birds of prey to protect stocks of grouse and other game birds.



The Scottish Rural Property and Business Association (SRPBA) said similar arrangements were already in place for farmers.



The call comes in a BBC documentary looking into the illegal trapping, shooting and poisoning of birds.



The RSPB Scotland has described the call as bizarre.



Every year up to 30 protected birds are found dead, including rare species such as Golden Eagles and Hen Harriers.



Existing powers allow ministers to sign off on the killing of some birds of prey by sporting estates, but the powers have never been used.



Now landowners want to be granted licences that would allow the targeted cull of more common species such as Buzzards and Ravens.



The owners of some sporting estates have argued that without careful management, stocks of game birds can be wiped out by predators.

Rest of article and link: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-13339288

 

[Evil Eye]

Don't these people have scarecrows?