![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/licensing-row-as-grouse-shooting-season-begins/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/130779294_canva-2023-08-11t145915.387.jpg&description=Image source, Getty Images Image caption, The Scottish Greens say grouse shooting is a "cruel and outdated hobby" The annual grouse shooting season is getting under way with land owners and climate campaigners divided over proposals for a licensing scheme. The Scottish government said it wants to minimise the impact of grouse moors through new legislation at Holyrood. Campaigners warn grouse moors have "huge environmental costs". But land owners said the Glorious 12th, one of the busiest days of the shooting season, is at risk from the "excessive" regulations being considered by MSPs. The government introduced the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill earlier this year. It is currently being considered by committees at stage one of its journey through parliament. The legislation seeks to implement recommendations for increased grouse moor management and trap regulation as set out in the Werritty review in December 2019 If passed by MSPs, a license would be required to kill red grouse and inspectors would be given increased powers to investigate suspected wildlife crime. It would also introduce stricter rules on muirburn, the practice of using fire as a land management tool. Image source, Getty Images Image caption, Critics say grouse moors are bad for Scotland's landscapes As shooters gathered for the official opening of the season on Saturday, Scottish Land and Estates (SLE) called for the government to amend its bill. It said the game and country sports sector was worth more than £350m to the economy and supported 11,000 jobs. Ross Ewing, SLE's director of moorland, said: "Sustainable grouse moor management provides a huge boost to the economy, bringing visitors to rural areas from August to December and providing revenue which underpins rural jobs year-round." He described the Scottish government scheme as "excessively disproportionate" because he said it would allow NatureScot to suspend a licence when an investigation started "without being satisfied that any r){kind=link}
The annual grouse shooting season is getting under way with land owners and climate campaigners divided over proposals for a licensing scheme.
The Scottish government said it wants to minimise the impact of grouse moors through new legislation at Holyrood.
Campaigners warn grouse moors have “huge environmental costs”.
But land owners said the Glorious 12th, one of the busiest days of the shooting season, is at risk from the “excessive” regulations being considered by MSPs.
The government introduced the Wildlife Management and Muirburn Bill earlier this year.