THE Scottish Greens have called for urgent measures to protect mountain hares in the period between open season resuming next month and their new protected status coming into effect.
Last month, the Scottish Parliament passed an amendment, proposed by Greens MSP Alison Johnstone, to the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill which would make mountain hares a protected species.
Now Johnstone has written to Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon, calling for the Scottish Government to ensure that hares “are not subjected to unwarranted persecution in the period between the open season resuming on
August 1” and the new legislation coming into force.
The letter notes concerns raised by RSPB Scotland: “The mountain hare open season begins on
August 1, and in the run-up to this protected status we are concerned that some grouse moor managers may seek to reduce the population further, pre-empting the decision by the Scottish Parliament to give this species proper protection.”
The Lothian MSP also highlighted how pre-emptive killings have been known to happen prior to other species being granted protections.
“This is not just speculation. Pre-emptive killing of beavers and seals took place ahead of new protections coming into force,” she pointed out.
The letter concludes with a request to use existing powers to extend the closed season until the new powers can come into place. Johnstone
wrote: “I would therefore like to suggest that you use existing powers to temporarily extend the closed season until the new regime is put in place.
“This is a pragmatic approach that would prevent any unjustified killing but still allow land managers to apply for a licence under the existing regime for the close season.”
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