Licences to take or kill game and to sell or deal in game in Scotland are set to be abolished in 2011, according to the Government report on the Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill.
The country’s largest shooting organisation, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) welcomed the move. BASC Scotland’s Nicolle Upton said: “The game licence was introduced as an enforcement tool against poaching in the 1800s. It is now widely regarded as ineffective. The revenue it generates is insignificant and is not used for conservation or game management. The move will bring Scotland into line with the rest of Great Britain and removes a redundant layer of bureaucracy for game shooters and deer stalkers.”
The licence to sell or deal in game in Scotland is also regarded as unnecessary – the controls on the sale of game were replaced by food hygiene regulations in 2006. Restrictions on the sale of game outside the shooting seasons, introduced before the advent of refrigeration, will also be removed.
Nicolle Upton said: “The removal of the Game Licence requirement in Scotland is something BASC has been lobbying for and will be widely welcomed, as will the end to unnecessary restrictions affecting the sale of game throughout the year. The popularity of game shows no sign of abating, with independent research showing UK sales predicted to rise by a further 47% to hit £84 million by 2011*. These moves will ensure its wider availability.” ENDS
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* Source: Mintel February 2007
For more information please contact BASC Scotland on 01350 723 226 or the BASC press office on 01244 573031