Over 10 per cent of Scotland is managed for grouse shooting and the most intensive element of that, driven grouse shooting, has been implicated in the loss of wildlife, the persecution of predators especially birds of prey and the despoliation of landscape through the creation of bulldozed tracks principally to transport shooting clients. Leeds University's EMBER report showed that the rotational burning of heather to provide red grouse with optimal habitat, lowers water quality in streams flowing through grouse moors and may exacerbate flooding.
As well as pointing out that a few species of waders can do well on grouse moors their regular defence in the face of controversy is that they create rural jobs. But are they driving away other forms of employment that would create more employment and make the hills a better place for wildlife, residents and visitors?
There is a desperate need for a comprehensive, independent economic study of driven grouse shooting in Scotland to see whether it is actually helping rural communities. A proper economic assessment should have been carried out years ago; we need one now.
Les Wallace
Polmont
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