Fair Game: Scotland's Sporting Estates

See the earlier post that provided details of this BBC2 TV programme.  Note that it is no longer available on the BBC iPlayer.

The SRPBA has responded to the programme and Doug McAdam has asked that I make the response that was circulated to SRPBA members available more widely; it can be viewed here.  A letter from Doug was also published in the Scotland on Sunday paper on 22 May.

Code of practice on deer management: Draft for public consultation

A consultation on the draft Code has been launched and responses have been requested by 1 July 2011.  Public meetings are being held in Inverness, Perth & Moffat.  More details are available from the SNH Website.

I am taking soundings from members of the Forum about whether the Forum should submit a response to the consultation and I would welcome any views.

Minister for Environment

Stewart Stevenson, MSP has been appointed as the new Minister for Environment and Climate Change.  See the BBC report.

We will be considering how best to brief him on the Forum's activities.

Highlands wildfires could cost landowners £26m

See the BBC News article and an article in The Scotsman that are based on a press release issued by Highlands & Islands Fire & Rescue Service on 16 May.  If anyone would like to see the original press release, which has more facts and figures, leave me a comment.

Fair Game: Scotland's Sporting Estates

For anyone who missed the live broadcast of this TV programme, it is available on the BBC iPlayer, although I am not sure how long for.  See the Moorland Forum's Doug McAdam and Duncan Orr-Ewing in action!

I would welcome any comments about how the programme portrayed sporting estates and the raptor-grouse conflict.

Asulam - the latest

The background and the latest news is available here.

Wildfires

Willie Fraser,
National Trust for Scotland

I am running a commentary about the current spate of wildfires on the Heather Trust's Blog.  To avoid duplication please follow this link to the Blog.