A NEW poll shows seven out of 10 people in Scotland are opposed to grouse shooting for sport.
The survey was carried out by the League Against Cruel Sports Scotland. It found 71% of respondents were against grouse shooting, with only 12% in favour. The views were shared in both urban and rural locations. The figures are released as the Scottish Government prepares to publish its response to the Werritty Review, expected later this month.
A review of grouse moor management practices was ordered by the Scottish Government in 2017, with a view to introducing a licensing scheme for game shooting estates. The Grouse Moor Management Group was tasked with looking at the environmental impact of grouse moor management practices – including muirburn, the use of medicated grit and mountain hare culls – and advising on the option of licensing grouse shooting businesses.
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The group published its report, led by professor Alan Werritty, in December last year.
League Against Cruel Sports Scotland director Robbie Marsland said: “Almost a year ago, Professor Werritty said wider societal views needed to be taken into account and political decisions made, well here are those views. Seven in 10 people do not support grouse shooting in Scotland with only a pitifully low number in favour.
“We are urging the Scottish Government to take these views into account when it responds to Werritty later this month. There is a circle of destruction that surrounds grouse moors. These moors account for enormous swathes of Scotland which deplete biodiversity, add to climate change pressures, employ rigorous predator control and make a woeful economic contribution.
“The time has come to move on from this archaic use of land and look at reviving grouse moors in a way which doesn’t revolve around a minority bloodsport opposed by the vast majority of Scottish people.”
A spokesperson for Scottish Land & Estates said: "The huge social, economic and environmental benefits of grouse shooting are well-known, particularly for those living in rural Scotland.
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"Only last week, a survey found visitors spent £3500 each in local communities - this was over and above the direct booking costs of shoot days.
"The recent Government-commissioned Werritty review also demonstrated the importance of moors, with six gamekeeper jobs typically maintained for the same area of land that would need one shepherd if used for farming.
"An opinion poll organised and funded by activists ideologically opposed to shooting will inevitably attract a majority against grouse moor management but this will not accord with the view from our rural communities who witness the substantial contribution this sector provides, particularly during the ongoing pandemic."
The polling was commissioned by the League as part of its work with Revive, the coalition for grouse moor reform.
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