Nature Scot have just published our General Licences for 2025.
These will be valid from 1^st January 2025.

Previously, operators of MRRs or galleries did not require a firearms certificate

As you will be aware, the Health and Safety Executive / UK REACH has examined the matter of lead in shotgun and rifle ammunition. This has been the subject of two public consultations. The results of these consultations and the consequential recommendations to Ministers in England, Wales, and Scotland have now been published.

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.

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.