Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government does not track the location of eagle nests directly, however Scottish Natural Heritage (SNH) and the Joint Nature Conservation Committee fund periodic surveys of all known golden eagle territories in Scotland. The surveys are undertaken by the Raptor Study Group and RSPB and the next survey is due in 2015. For the reintroduced white-tailed eagle, SNH contracts RSPB to monitor all the territories in Scotland on an annual basis.

The Scottish Government does not inform landowners or occupiers of nests on their land. Eagles are territorial birds which hold a territory all year, and in the case of golden eagle are usually long established. There are usually several nests within a territory which get used alternately, although some may only have one or certain favoured nests. Most landowners and occupiers are aware of the presence of eagles on their land, though may not know all nest sites. With golden eagles those people monitoring the territory will often inform the landowner of the nest, but this does not always happen and in some cases information is not shared due to suspicions about persecution or disturbance. With white-tailed eagles, the RSPB does inform landowners or occupiers without publicising the locations more widely.

I refer the member to the answer to question S4W-15765 on 15 July 2013. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament’s website, the search facility for which can be found at:

http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/parliamentarybusiness/28877.aspx

Under the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981, birds of prey, including white-tailed eagles, are protected. The provisions of the Act make it an offence if a person recklessly or intentionally kills, injures or takes a bird of prey.

It is also an offence under the Wildlife and Countryside Act to: take, damage, destroy or otherwise interfere with a bird of prey nest, including white-tailed eagle, whether in use or being built; obstruct or prevent a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle, from using its nest; take or destroy the egg of a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle; intentionally or recklessly disturb a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle while it is in a nest or is building a nest, or is on, in or near a nest containing eggs or young; and intentionally or recklessly disturb the dependent young of a bird of prey, including white-tailed eagle.

White-tailed eagles are also listed on Schedules A1 and 1A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. The Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 (Variation of Schedules A1 and 1A (Scotland) Order 2013) came into force on 18th March 2013 and added golden eagle to Schedule A1 and 1A of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981 and hen harrier and red kite to Schedule 1A only. Schedule A1 of the 1981 Act lists bird species whose nests are protected at all times from disturbance, including outwith the breeding season and Schedule 1A of the 1981 Act lists those bird species which are protected from harassment.

Figures obtained from Police Scotland show there are currently 109 wildlife crime officers within Police Scotland. There is also a national wildlife crime co-ordinator, at sergeant level. There has been no change in the level of this resource since the advent of Police Scotland and there are currently no plans to review the present number.

The Scottish Government does not hold this information. There is no specific wildlife crime budget within Police Scotland. All operational policing is managed locally and budgets are therefore held locally. As operational policing is devolved to local commanders, any budget would be held and managed within individual divisions.

The Scottish Government plans to consult on compulsory microchipping of dogs before the end of 2013.

The Scottish Government through Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) began discussing the land swap with representatives of Glenfeshie Estate in February 2010. There were no discussions prior to that although the estate asked FCS to consider an off-market sale of Tolvah forest for several years’, such approaches were declined as a straight sale was not in the public interest.

The Scottish Government through Forestry Commission Scotland (FCS) began discussion with representatives of Glenfeshie estate regarding the land swap in February 2010. There were no discussions prior to that although the estate asked FCS to consider an off-market sale of Tolvah forest for several years’, such approaches were declined as straight sale was not in the public interest.

The land swap that took place was complex over a number of sites and involved significant dialogue over close to three years. Matters discussed for the various sale and acquisition subjects included: valuation; preservation of a Forest Research experiment; Glenfeshie’s future management objectives for the woodlands they “acquired”; detailed assessment of the property purchased in the Borders for woodland creation by FCS; assessment of the Leasehold property in Glenmore and extensive conveyencing and other legal communication between the parties.

There have been no other formal meetings with Mr Povlsen or his representatives however the Minister for Environment and Climate Change was introduced to Mr Povlsen and a number of Cairngorm National Park Authority’s stakeholders at a Cairngorm National Park Authority event this month.

The Land Reform Review Group was announced in July 2012, by the First Minister. It was set up by the Scottish Government to develop innovative and radical proposals that will contribute to Scotland’s future success.

Richard Lochhead, Cabinet Secretary Rural Affairs and the Environment, in discussion with Scottish Government officials, appointed the three original members of the review group. These were Dr Alison Elliot (Chair), Professor Jim Hunter (Vice Chair) and Dr Sarah Skerratt (Vice Chair).

The appointment of the group’s 13 advisers also took into account recommendations from the review group chair, Alison Elliot.

Replacements for Professor Hunter and Dr Skerratt, involved discussion between ministers, Scottish Government officials and the review group themselves.

The Scottish Government provide administrative support for the group, as well as paying fees for the review group members. The review group’s advisers do not receive fees, but are paid expenses.

Scottish Ministers commented on the initial work programme and have been consulted and interviewed as part of the process, as have representatives of a wide range of political, community and personal opinion.

The Scottish Government has met with the Land Reform Review Group on seven occasions. These are as follows:

23 August 2012 - Visit and photo opportunity at Neilston Development Trust with the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment and the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliott, Sarah Skerratt, Jim Hunter).

2 October 2012 - Meeting to discuss the Group’s work plan between the Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, the Minister for Environment and Climate Change and the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliott, Sarah Skerratt, Jim Hunter) and Scottish Government officials.

20 November 2012 - Meeting to discuss links between the review and the work on the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill. Present: Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Local Government and Planning, the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliot, Jim Hunter, Sarah Skerratt) and Scottish Government officials.

18 December 2012 – Meeting to discuss details of Review Group’s plans on urban issues to link with Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill. Present: Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Local Government and Planning, the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliot, Jim Hunter and via phone, Sarah Skerratt), and Scottish Government officials.

14 March 2013 – Meeting to update on review progress. Present: Paul Wheelhouse (Minister for Environment and Climate Change), Alison Elliot (Chair, Review Group) and Scottish Government officials.

8 May 2013 – Meeting to update on links with Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill, options for ensuring that liaison between review group and Bill team continue, and any options for early legislation through the Community Empowerment and Renewal Bill, that have been identified during phase 1 of the review. Present: Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Minister for Local Government and Planning, and the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliott, Sarah Skerratt, Ian Cooke) and Scottish Government officials.

13 June 2013 – Update on progress and ideas for phase 2 approach. Present: Minister for Environment and Climate Change, the Land Reform Review Group (Alison Elliot, Ian Cooke, John Watt), and Scottish Government officials.

In addition, Scottish Government officials act as the secretariat for the group and have constant contact with them on operational matters.