Mountain hares in Scotland will now be protected all year-round after MSPs voted to make them a protected species. The amendment to the law, proposed by the Scottish Green Party MSP Alison Johnstone, was passed by 60 to 19 votes.
The estimated population of mountain hares in Scotland is 350,000 which is a relatively high density compared to elsewhere in Europe as shown by recent GCWT research. Currently mountain hares can be controlled from 1st August to 28th February and are done so to protect trees, fragile habitats and to manage tick populations.
Rural Affairs Minister Mairi Gougeon said she was “not happy with the manner in which this amendment has been advanced”.
But she added that it “would mean there would no longer be an open season for mountain hares, control of their numbers would need to be done under licence all year round, for permitted purposes, such as preventing serious agricultural damage”.
Sarah-Jane Laing, the chief executive of Scottish Land & Estates, which represents landowners, said: “These changes will not help Scotland’s wildlife, which is the prime concern of gamekeepers and land managers.
“Mountain hares are thriving on Scotland’s moors and their fate will not be improved by this vote. There is clear evidence that the control of hares helps combat tick and Lyme disease and protect plants and young trees.
“Balanced wildlife management is key to meeting Scottish government targets on biodiversity and tree planting. It was disappointing that this seems to have disregarded by so many at Holyrood.”
Alex Hogg, the chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, said: “A grave mistake has been made today. This is a bad law, made by people it will not impact upon.
“There will be no satisfaction in turning around in a few years and saying: we told you so, but, certainly, this is an important date in the demise of another iconic species, killed by political trade-offs and emotive campaigns.”
