THE SCOTTISH Countryside Alliance has written to environment minister Roseanna Cunningham to express its disappointment at the SNP National Council's latest moves against fieldsports, and in particular foxhunts.

Stressing its commitment to "increased transparency and confidence in the operation of gun packs" hunting foxes under exceptions within the Protection of Wild Mammals (Scotland) Act 2002, the SCA said that it had been fully cooperating with Lord Bonomy in his review of the 2002 Act for the Scottish Government, and had welcomed his recommendations and acted on elements within the report, in particular the provision of written records of hunting activity in a bid to assist Police Scotland officers.

As suc it was disappointed that activists on the SNP’s National Council had ignored Lord Bonomy’s recommendations, and indeed the Scottish Government's 'considered' action plan, electing instead to support a policy to further restrict the ability to use dogs in the control of wild mammals to the point of a de facto ban.

The party's National Council had also voted to license grouse shooting estates, again pre-empting ScotGov which has announced a grouse moor management review group to focus on the future sustainability of grouse moors.

"Figures suggest that shooting in Scotland is worth an estimated £200 million a year and supports the equivalent of 8800 full-time jobs in the country. This vital rural support network that embraces so many environmental, economic and social benefits does not deserve to become part of an unscientific political game played by some SNP activists," said the SCA.