Legislation regarding keeping birds has been introduced, requiring those who keep birds to register them with DEFRA /the Scottish Government /  DAERA.  This has been introduced to allow the respective authorities, in the event of a significant avian influenza outbreak, to establish those likely affected and to put in place contact arrangements.

In answer to a recent Scottish parliamentary question, the Minister for Agriculture and Connectivity, Jim Fairlie, stated that subject to parliamentary procedure, the commencement date of the legislation banning the use of snares in Scotland will be 25 November 2024.

It is the land that is licensed, and you must provide a map and centre grid reference. You must read the new Code of Practice for Grouse Moor Management and agree to comply with this before a licence will be granted. Even if you only intend to shoot one grouse, a licence is still required.

On 27 June 2024, the Home Office published the Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024

On 27 June 2024, the Home Office published the Statistics on firearm and shotgun certificates England and Wales: April 2023 to March 2024

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.