* Scotland's nature agency will publish their wildlife licence data "on a regular basis"
* NatureScot say they are "keen to ensure openness and transparency" * The Scottish government has committed to a review of species licensing 'very soon' Recently I revealed details of some shocking lethal control licences approved by NatureScot, in particular licences affecting five species of protected gulls in Scotland, all of them red or amber listed, of conservation concern. There was a massive outcry from readers of my blog and supporters of our campaign. The sheer scale of the killing, sanctioned by the Scottish government's nature agency, was deeply disturbing and raised so many questions. But these secret statistics are normally hidden from public view and generally only available if officially requested. So, I contacted the CEO of NatureScot and asked if the agency would follow the example of Natural England who, following pressure from our campaign, now publish annual licensing data, specifically complete details of their bird control licences, so that the public can scrutinise each licence and raise questions where necessary. I suggested to NatureScot that publishing the data would show a commitment to be transparent and open about the licences it issues, a move that would surely be welcomed by the public. Good news... data will be released NatureScot were quick to engage with me and I received these encouraging words from them "We agree on the benefits of publishing this information and are keen to ensure openness and transparency of our licensing functions." They went on to say "We are currently in the process of formatting licence information which will be published on our website on a regular basis and we hope to have this available in the next few weeks. We are also presently developing our licensing system so this will be fully on line and capable of providing reports on a regular and consistent basis." I had to fight hard for the same promise from Natural England, so let's hope that this all comes together more easily and that the data will be comprehensive and detailed. I believe that when these agencies know that people like us are looking at the figures then they are bound to be more cautious and considered when making decisions affecting our wild birds. Review of licences imminent In addition, NatureScot also told me that "the Scottish Government have also committed to a Review of Species Licensing which we expect to see initiated very soon and we will of course play a significant role in taking this work forward." In response to this, I reiterated that many people are really very troubled by the mass destruction of gulls and added that I hope this particular policy will be reconsidered in the light of the fragile conservation status of these species. Each of us has a duty to examine the data While these are small steps, they are significant. Honestly, while I'd love to see an end to all 'lethal control' of wildlife, I know this isn't going to happen any time soon, because many human beings are too selfish to consider other species; but we can be empowered to raise questions and campaign to stop decisions that are suspect. That is where increased transparency can help, we'll all be able to scrutinise the licence statistics and each of us has a duty to examine the data and flag our concerns. I'll keep you all informed of further developments.....
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* 500+ chicks slaughtered
* 100,000+ eggs removed from nests * 250,000+ nests sanctioned for destruction * Mind boggling statistics - is NatureScot completely out of control? Who would have thought that the agency set up to "improve the natural environment in Scotland" would be busy sanctioning the mass destruction of nests and eggs of threatened species and the slaughter of baby chicks? But yes, NatureScot's lethal control policy includes culling the chicks of 'protected' birds and wholesale destruction of species officially recognised as being of high conservation concern. Figures from a period spanning five years show that NatureScot was responsible for the purposeful and systematic persecution and extermination of no less than five different species of protected gulls, in huge numbers. The appalling statistics* reveal that between 2017 and 2021:- 129,425 eggs were removed from nests of five species of red and amber listed gulls. 530 chicks were culled. 1,732 adult birds were culled. 52,569 nests were destroyed. (In addition to these figures, as I reported recently, new data from last year alone reveals that NatureScot also approved the killing of a further 130 gull chicks and 122 adult gulls during 2022, and another 224,750 nests were sanctioned to be destroyed by Scotland's 'nature agency') The scale of the destruction is horrifying. The birds targeted by the agency are Herring gull, Lesser Black Backed Gull, Greater Black Backed Gull, Common Gull and Black-Headed Gull. NatureScot systematically pursuing and destroying red-listed Herring Gulls The species most persecuted by NatureScot, the Herring gull, has seen a massive population crash in recent years with just 130,000 pairs now estimated to be breeding across the whole of the UK. It is a red-listed species, meaning that it is of the highest conservation concern. It would appear from the data that NatureScot might be significantly contributing to its decline. The agency permitted the destruction of 103,020 Herring gull nests in one single year, the figures suggesting that NatureScot may be pursuing the birds even if they attempt to nest multiple times. Between 2017 and 2021, Scotland's nature agency destroyed more than 70,000 eggs of this red-listed species, in addition to 200+ chicks and 1300+ adult birds. All this over just a few breeding seasons. NatureScot say that their goal is to 'inspire everyone to care more about our natural environment'. But these figures are mind boggling and I fear they indicate that NatureScot is completely out of control. Pressure from residents and councils NatureScot faces pressure from residents and local councils in some areas of the country, who complain about gulls being 'pests', and the agency appears to have given in to calls for the iconic birds to be removed - rather than educating people that these species are part of the very fabric of the natural world. If we don't learn to co-exist with these magnificent birds, then we could lose them forever - and that would be a tragedy, as well as a stain on Scotland. Shameful The Scottish people should be outraged. We all should. Such blatant hypocrisy from a self proclaimed conservation agency, acting on behalf of a government, is shameful. I am appalled at NatureScot's decision, especially given the threat the gulls already face from avian flu and environmental degradation. The worst nature agency in the UK...? NatureScot stands out as being possibly the worst nature agency in the UK for permitting the culling of wild birds. I believe it is in the public interest to highlight the dubious actions of government agencies when they directly affect wildlife and the natural environment so many of us are striving to protect. Share the data I'm sharing this data because it is vitally important for the public to be aware of what is going on. I'll be asking NatureScot to publish their licensing statistics in the same way that Natural England now does (thanks to our campaign), so that it is available for public scrutiny and discussion going forward. Scotland's 'nature agency' clearly needs a few lessons in compassion for wildlife and empathy with nature. I'd welcome NatureScot's response to these figures and respectfully request that they either explain their highly questionable decision making or immediately halt their current policy of destroying gulls. ------------------------- *These are the officially recorded figures. Assuming the Scottish system is like the English system, then it will rely on the honesty and integrity of licence holders to report their actions accurately. The licensing systems as they stand are impossible to monitor and are open to serious abuse.
* Scotland's nature agency sanctioned the destruction of 224,750 gulls nests during 2022
* All species affected were either red listed or amber listed, of conservation concern NatureScot, the Scottish government's nature agency, last year permitted the removal or destruction of more than 200,000 gulls nests, nearly half of them belonging to red-listed Herring gulls, a species that is among the most threatened in the UK, and of the highest conservation concern. I've obtained data that reveals NatureScot issued 1,953 gull licences in 2022 and approved the removal of 224,750 nests of five different species of gull. According to the agency, the nests that could be destroyed under these licences "may or may not contain eggs". The total number of nests licensed to be removed in a single year were:- 103,020 nests of Herring gulls 45,990 nests of Lesser Black-backed gulls 39,570 nests of Common gulls 22,660 nests of Great Black-backed gulls 13,510 nests of Black-headed gulls The huge scale of nest destruction allowed under Scotland's licences beggars belief, especially given the fragile conservation status of many of the species affected. In 2020, three species of gull were removed from the relevant 'general licence' in Scotland due to conservation concerns, and since then a specific licence must be obtained in order to lethally control gulls; permitted actions include removal of nests and eggs, or in some cases killing pre-fledged chicks or adult birds. NatureScot noted that "if eggs are removed then the number of eggs taken must be recorded in the returns form. Some of these eggs may have been passed onto wildlife sanctuaries." (they did not provide further information on how many eggs 'may have been passed on' to wildlife sanctuaries). The licences were approved for the purpose of "preserving public health and public safety", and NatureScot appears to have sanctioned considerably more nest destruction than equivalent bodies in other parts of the UK - Natural England, NRW (Wales) and Daera (Nothern Ireland). The enormous number of gulls affected by the Scottish licences is extremely worrying. NatureScot proudly proclaim "We are Scotland’s nature agency. We work to improve our natural environment in Scotland and inspire everyone to care more about it." Maybe they should take another look at their internal policies - before trying to 'inspire' others to care about nature. |
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July 2023
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