Scotland’s leading wildlife conservation charity is calling on the Scottish Government for reassurance that licences will not be issued for the destruction of buzzard nests and eggs in Scotland.

The measure is currently being enacted by Natural England – the body responsible for the issuing of these licences in England – to protect non-native pheasant stock.

In the letter, Chief Executive of the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Simon Milne MBE, says: “The Scottish Wildlife Trust always advocates taking management decisions based on the best available scientific evidence.

“Data gathered by the British Association for Shooting and Conservation found that on average the level of predation of game birds by raptors is only 1-2%.

“We do not believe that this comparatively small loss justifies the persecution of this native species and that the vast majority of the public would prefer to see buzzards taking their rightful place in the ecosystem.”

“We are seeking assurance that the Scottish Government and its agencies will not issue such licences in Scotland.”