Gamekeeping Taskforce “needed now more than ever”

A year on from BASC Scotland’s call for the establishment of a Gamekeeping Taskforce, the Minister for Environment and Land Reform, Màiri McAllan MSP, has been urged to address the ongoing difficulties facing gamekeepers and rural workers in managing the countryside.

Ahead of the 2021 Scottish Parliamentary election, BASC Scotland called for the creation of a Scottish Gamekeeping Taskforce in the next parliament. The move came amid concerns the profession is becoming increasingly marginalised.

Worrying trends

The multilateral taskforce was set to address ‘worrying trends’ outlined in research undertaken by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC). However, to date little progress has been made by the Scottish Government in implementing plans to establish a taskforce.

The research highlighted that almost two-thirds of gamekeepers surveyed had experienced abuse. Furthermore, more than half of gamekeepers included in the research had been impacted by rural crime, including hare coursing and deer poaching.

What should the taskforce include?

BASC Scotland’s vision for the taskforce is for it to include a range of rural stakeholders, including the Scottish Partnership Against Rural Crime (SPARC), Police Scotland and NatureScot.

The taskforce would act as a conduit to achieve government policy changes to tackle difficulties facing gamekeepers.

In light of the lack of progress, BASC Scotland has once again written to Màiri McAllan, reiterating the calls for the taskforce establishment.

Peter Clark, Public Affairs Manager for BASC Scotland, said: “In our letter to the Minister, BASC Scotland highlighted how the sector now faces new challenges ahead, with the ongoing impact of avian flu affecting the importation of game birds and consequentially, the upcoming shooting season.

“Compounded by the cost-of-living crisis, the Scottish Government could show their increased support for gamekeepers at this difficult time, by progressing this simple policy which has very little effect on the public purse.”

Want to read more news from BASC Scotland? Click here to head to our dedicated pages.