Rural bullying is no game
SOME two-thirds of gamekeepers in Scotland have experienced abusive behaviour, according to research commissioned by the Scottish Government. The findings of the report, written by Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), has led the Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Ben Macpherson MSP, to write to BASC, saying he ‘was appalled to hear of the experiences’ of Scotland’s gamekeepers.
Mr Macpherson said he ‘would work to ensure no credence is given to any vexatious or malicious claims of malpractice’ after concerns were raised that the establishment of a licensing scheme for grouse moors could be exploited by anti-shooting campaigners to have the sport banned.
As well as Mr Macpherson’s letter, a motion was tabled in the Scottish Parliament by the Conservative MSP Oliver Mundell, which called on the Scottish government to do more to support the gamekeeping community. The motion was backed only by Conservative MSPs.
