Just a month after the General Election and the subsequent change of government, it's becoming evident that there will likely be alterations to firearms licensing costs. This is in line with the commitments made in the Labour Party manifesto.

Three pilot incentive schemes will launch this autumn to financially support deer managers to control numbers of deer in specific parts of Scotland in response to the climate and nature emergencies.

As members may already know, the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act (Scotland) Act 2024 received Royal Assent on 30 April 2024. Since then, we’ve been waiting for the commencement dates, which tells us when the various different parts of the Act come into force.

The Scottish Parliament passed the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bil on 21 March 2024.

Subsequently, on 30 April 2024, the legislation received Royal Assent and became an Act of Parliament. As of this date, the legislation does not have a commencement date, which is decided by Scottish Ministers.

On 4 June 2024, rural organisations published the latest ‘Value of Shooting’ report, which details the shooting sector's benefits to the UK economy and the conservation of the countryside.

The Wildlife Management and Muirburn (Scotland) Act 2024, a significant development in those who manage wildlife, received Royal Assent on 30 April 2024. We are awaiting a commencement date, marking the Act's transition into a legally enforceable Act.

If you are engaged in deer stalking, you will likely be aware of the changes to the order which allows for the shooting of deer in Scotland with an image intensifying scope and also the changes to bullet weights.

A 48 year-old man was sentenced on Tuesday 20th February at Dungannon Crown Court, for offences linked to wildlife crime, following collaborative investigations by police and partners.

Northern Ireland’s shooting and countryside organisations recently met with Police Service of Northern Ireland Firearms and Explosives Branch (PSNI FEB) staff and senior officials from the Department of Justice (DOJ) in Belfast.

As you will likely know, changes are being made to the Deer Close Season Order and the Deer Firearms Order. This was agreed in the Scottish Parliament on Thursday 27 September.

SACS and the Scottish Countryside Alliance worked together on our consultation response to this draft member’s bill.