Under consideration PE2268: Strengthen safety protections for residents near pest bird shooting
Calling on the Scottish Parliament to urge the Scottish Government to introduce stronger protections for residents living near pest bird shooting, including clearer safety requirements, minimum safety distances from residential properties and measures to reduce unreasonable noise and disturbance.
Background information
Residents of Baberton Mains, Edinburgh, have experienced repeated pest bird shooting close to residential properties every summer for several years. The shooting is extremely loud and can begin early in the morning and continue into evening, seriously disturbing residents and affecting their ability to peacefully enjoy their homes and gardens.
The area is an established residential community, separated from farmland by the A720 bypass. Residents have found pellets in their gardens and dead birds close to homes. Children and animals are frightened by the sudden gunshots.
Residents have contacted Police Scotland, the council and NatureScot repeatedly. NatureScot confirmed that the General License for Birds (GL02) may permit pest bird shooting during daylight hours, but there is no statutory minimum distance from residential properties. It referred to British Association for Shooting and Conservation guidance recommending a safety zone of up to 275 metres in the direction of fire.
We believe stronger, clearer protections are needed for communities living close to pest bird shooting.
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