Game birds decision 'for ministers'

Mar 2 2011

Ministers should be allowed to decide whether it is appropriate to kill protected species to safeguard game birds, MSPs have agreed.

Amendments which sought to make it impossible for a minister to issue a licence to gamekeepers to kill raptors responsible for killing game birds reared for shooting was defeated as the final debate on the Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill began at Holyrood.

Tabling the amendment, Labour MSP Peter Peacock said: "A concern has arisen over whether licences will be granted to kill raptors in order to protect a species for the purposes of being shot for so-called sport.