A spokesman for the Nationwide Gamekeepers’ Organisation insisted that birds of prey have been “thriving on land managed for taking pictures” and that its members have been reaching “monumental conservation successes”.
“It’s disappointing that the RSPB won’t work along with organisations equivalent to ours, for the nice of all hen species,” he added.
The Moorland Affiliation, which represents grouse moor property house owners in England and Wales, mentioned the RSPB report was “utterly disingenuous”.
Andrew Gilruth, the affiliation’s chief government, mentioned the variety of birds of prey killed was a tiny proportion of the entire inhabitants.
“Relatively than proceed to assault rural communities with sweeping generalisations, why is the charity not celebrating this success?” he mentioned.
All birds of prey are protected by legislation however the RSPB mentioned that, out of 62 prosecutions over the previous 15 years, just one individual was jailed.
The organisation is now calling for all of the UK’s devolved nations to observe Scotland’s instance, exterior and usher in licensing for grouse moor estates.
“Which means if any offences happen on a selected shoot that property can lose the power to shoot on there. The licence is revoked for various years,” defined Mark Thomas, the RSPB’s head of investigations.
“Sadly we don’t have that in the remainder of the UK. We have to see wider licensing significantly for grouse moors in England and pheasant and partridge taking pictures within the lowlands of the UK.”
The administrations of England, Wales and Nothern Eire informed the BBC that there are sturdy penalties in place for crimes dedicated in opposition to birds of prey however there have been at the moment no plans for the brand new licensing of taking pictures estates.
Within the meantime, Mr Thomas referred to as on birdwatchers and countryside walkers to report any incidents they see to the RSPB and to the police.
“This has to cease. The killing has to cease,” he mentioned.
