Call for views – Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill

Scotland’s Rural Affairs and Islands Committee has issued a ‘call for views’ on the Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill. BASC has raised significant concerns with the Bill, which was published on 22 March 2023. .

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Bill aims to alter legislation around how people can capture and kill certain wild birds (red grouse) and proposes changes around the making of muirburn (the controlled burning of heather and other plants for land management purposes).

The Bill has two distinct parts. Part one makes a number of provisions in relation wildlife management. This includes a ban on the use and purchase of glue traps, the establishment of a licensing system for the use of certain wildlife traps and creates a licensing system for land on which specific birds may be killed or taken.

Part two of the Bill regulates the making of muirburn by extending its licensing system. It now requires a muirburn licence at all times of the year and on any land on which muirburn is to be made.

It is vital that you respond to this ‘call for views’ survey, as this will shape the decision-making of MSPs on the Rural Affairs and Islands Committee, when it comes to scrutinising the Bill at Stages 1 and 2.

The survey closes on 5 May, you’ll find a link to respond at the bottom of this page.

BASC guide on responding to the survey

Q1. Do you agree with the proposed ban on the use, possession and purchase of glue traps (sections 1-3)?
Answer: Complete as you wish.

Wildlife traps

Q2. Do you agree there is a need for additional regulation of the use of certain wildlife traps?
Answer: No.

Additional points to include:

1. There is no need for additional training and accreditation for trap operators but there is an industry recognition that there is inconsistency in current legislation with respect to trapping and snaring.
2. All snare operators require to be trained and accredited already. All those using live capture traps for birds (Larsen traps and crow cage traps) need to be registered.
3. All those who currently operate snares and live capture traps would welcome a single identification number.
4. BASC notes that recently approved spring traps (added to relevant STAOs) which meet agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS) for stoats (as such these are the most commonly used traps on grouse moors) meet strict efficacy standards, which largely result from their design as opposed to needing operator expertise (beyond following the manufacturer’s instructions).

Q3. Do you agree with the proposed licensing system for the use of certain wildlife traps (sections 4-5)?
Answer: No.

Additional points to include:

1. There are potentially serious and unintended consequences as a result of the introduction of requirements for compulsory training and registration for all trap use.
2. There is a recognition that many people may only use one type of trap, such as a Larsen traps, so training and accreditation would be complicated and have to be designed and delivered to cover an individual’s needs rather than all eventualities.
3. This licensing proposal places additional financial burdens on the shooting sector through additional fees.