Tory bid will allow beaver killing to continue
Green MSP Mark Ruskell has slammed Tory MSPs on the Parliament’s Environment Committee for trying to block moves to protect beavers from indiscriminate killing.
Tory MSP John Scott this morning said that his party would attempt to annul amendments to conservation regulations, which will make beavers in Scotland a European protected species and ensure that culls can only happen under licence and after other steps have failed.
The move to protect beavers follows years of Green pressure and close working between various organisations to agree recommendations for sustainable management of beaver populations.
Scottish Greens environment spokesperson Mark Ruskell MSP said:
“Tories should be ashamed of themselves for trying to block legal protections. They would allow the indiscriminate and unregulated killing of beavers to continue.
“These vital steps being taken to protect beavers follow years of joint working and they give a significant level of protection to beavers whilst recognising the benefits of sustainable management approaches.
“We’ve already had three years of delay. Pregnant beavers and their young are likely being shot today. It’s time for decisive action, and while it’s disappointing that Tories plan to put narrow land-owning interests first, I’m sure they will find themselves isolated on this.”