It is interesting to see that the organisation formerly known as Scottish Natural Heritage and now rebranded as Nature Scot seems to be taking a leaf out of its English cousin’s book. Change to a punchy modern sounding name suitable for the 21st century and then adopt policies more suitable to the 19th.

Nature Scot is not doing well with beavers. First it was the unfortunate publication of a leaflet on them proudly carrying a photograph of an otter on the cover and then the allegations that licenses to kill were being scattered ‘like confetti’ and that at a workshop in 2019 farmers were told that beavers were “good to eat and could be used for taxidermy”. A number of groups, ourselves included, became aware that individuals asking Nature Scot for help and advice with beavers were simply sent details on how to apply for a licence to kill them. In one case where the person involved said he did not have access to a firearm he was told that Nature Scot might be able to help him find a killer. Then the charity Trees for Life became so concerned that they launched a judicial review of the issuing of licenses for lethal control. Now interestingly the National Farmer’s Union (NFU) and Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) are both asking their members throughout Scotland to stump up money to enable them to become parties to defending the action along side Nature Scot.

Whilst it is interesting to see the statutory licensing body and the killers working in concert it is also notable that the NFU emphasises in it’s letter to members that this is not just of concern to those in areas with beavers and an successful action by Trees for Life might set a precedent and “could limit options for future management of increasingly problematic species such as sea eagles, badgers, geese, ravens etc.” So now it seems that there is a clear agenda from the NFU to seek to expand the lethal control of protected species presumably with licenses issued by their new partners in culling at Nature Scot.

Once again it seems that a Scottish Government announcement about enhanced species protection or actions against wildlife crime does not stand up to scrutiny. Will we ever see a Scottish government with the courage to act against the wishes of entrenched minority interests?