Dave Thompson MSP

Dave Thompson, SNP MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch, who is a member of the Rural Affairs, Climate Change, and Environment (RACCE) Committee met with Police Scotland, the Scottish Game Keepers Association, Scottish Land and Estates, RSPB Scotland, and the NFUS, in order to be updated on the raptor poisoning cases around Conon Bridge, Ross-shire.

This meeting followed a request at a RACCE meeting in January by Mr Thompson, the local MSP, to a meeting with Police Scotland, and other interested parties, in the hope that it would give reassurance to the general public that this matter is still top of the police agenda.

This follows 22 birds of prey, including 16 red kites, being found dead in 2014 and as yet, the culprit for these killings has not been brought to justice and the investigation remains on-going.

Mr Thompson said, “I am grateful to Police Scotland for agreeing to meet with me and other interested parties, including the Scottish Game Keepers Association, Scottish Land and Estates, RSPB Scotland, and the NFUS, in order to be updated on the raptor poisoning cases in Conon Bridge, Ross-shire.

“The case remains live so I understand the police cannot say anything to prejudice the investigation, but the meeting was very useful indeed. The Police believe that it is a case of illegal pest control with banned pesticide gone wrong as it is not felt the raptors were the target and are still appealing for information from the public.

“The Partnership for Action Against Wildlife (PAW) Crime in Scotland, which includes the police, land managers, conservationists and the Scottish Government will be setting up a Highland PAW group from the 14th of March, which will be very useful at coordinating wildlife crime matters”.