NEW PUBLIC GENERAL LICENSES - SCOTLAND
These licenses, which allow the shooting of ‘pest’ species, have just been issued by the Scottish Executive for the period up to 31st December 2008
There are changes from previous years, some of which WILL affect users of crow and magpie traps, whether these are Larsen traps or other types of trap.
From 1st April 2008 - i.e. NOW, all traps in use MUST have a sign attached, stating the telephone number of your local Wildlife Crime Officer (In Strathclyde, this is 0141 532 6885). The label MUST also contain a code which will identify YOU to the police if required, and you MUST contact your local police Wildlife Crime officer IN ADVANCE to obtain your personal identification code.
To comply with the terms of the licenses, you MUST also have read and understood the license.
Frankly, it is NONSENSE to issue such a license a few days before the date it comes into operation, without publicity and with such conditions on them - SACS will today be contacting both Wildlife Crime officers AND the Scottish Executive to try to sort this out, but in the meantime, you MUST comply to stay within the law.
On my personal traps, I have added a label as follows;
This is a legal trap, and is in use legally. If you have any concerns, call the police on ‘********** Trap user reference *********.
As soon as there are any developments in this matter, the website will be updated - in the meantime if you have any problems, please contact SACS for information and advice. The next SACS magazine, which will be published in early May, will have full details.
The actual licenses can be read or downloaded from www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Environment/Wildlife-Habitats/16330/general-licences
Finally, you should remember that these licenses are only for the purpose stated on the license - if you are killing corvids or gulls, it must be for protection of game, and if you are shooting pigeons, it must be for crop protection. The licenses do NOT allow killing these species for any other reason, including sport!
Ian Clark
Director, SACS 4 May 2008