News In Focus
30 August 2007
Executive toughens its stance on wildlife crime
New penalties for people who commit crimes against wildlife could include the removal of firearms licences and cutting farm aid payments.
The measures are being considered as part of a tougher approach by Scottish ministers against bird poisoners and other wildlife criminals.
The Executive is considering the automatic loss of a firearms licence for anyone who has poisoned an animal, cutting the single farm payment for estates implicated in bird poisonings, and tightening up the licensing scheme.
Environment Minister Michael Russell said: "Like everyone else in Scotland I was absolutely appalled by the recent spate of poisonings, especially that of the golden eagle in Peebleshire last week.
"These kind of incidents are horrifying and while I acknowledge that much good work is already going on to counter the actions of a few criminals, I am determined that we must do more.
"Building on that good work, I will be speaking to chief constables to discuss how we can further support wildlife crime officers. I will also look, with the Justice Secretary, at how best to use the new offence of knowingly causing or permitting the unlawful killing or injuring of a bird."
The average single farm payment is worth approximately £20,000. If the landowner or farmer is found to be implicated in wildlife crime and in breach of cross-compliance, his payments can be reduced by 1-5% where they are shown to be negligent and the action or omission leading to the breach is directly attributable to them. If the action or omission was intentional the penalty can be up to 100%.
The civil standard of proof is enough for a cross-compliance penalty to be applied. An EU appeals procedure applies in case of dispute.