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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
National
Severin Carrell Scotland editor

Scottish grouse moors to be licensed in attempt to protect birds of prey

Hen harrier Shalimar with its tag
The tag of hen harrier Shalimar suddenly stopped sending out signals on 15 February. Photograph: RSPB

Grouse moors across Scotland will be required to hold licences and could face shooting bans as part of radical measures to combat bird of prey persecution passed by MSPs on Thursday.

The Scottish parliament voted for the controls amid intense pressure from conservation scientists and campaigners after decades of illegal attacks on birds of prey by gamekeepers instructed to protect grouse on shooting estates from being eaten.

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