Wildlife Reforms in Scotland

Abstract

The Wildlife and Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill was introduced to the Scottish Parliament in 2010. The Bill proposes a number of significant changes to the law in Scotland, replacing most of the existing law on game and poaching and introducing new controls on the use of snares. Further provisions will ban the release of non-native species and introduce new control measures for those that are in the wild. Other measures adjust the law on deer, Sites of Special Scientific Interest, wildlife licensing and muirburn. Although making many welcome changes, the Bill is a miscellany of assorted reforms rather than the expression of a single vision for the future of wildlife law, aspects of which will remain in a fragmented state.