SCOTLAND GETS TOUGH ON THEFT OF BIRDS’ EGGS

Recent reports have confirmed that a law to protect Scottish wildlife is to be “fast-tracked” and should be in place by the start of the breeding season next spring.

Thieves who take eggs from bird nests will face up to six months in jail and/or maximum fines of £5,000. The move is aimed at bringing the law on wildlife crime in Scotland into line with that of England, where such powers have existed for several years.

The proposed law will be attached to the Criminal Justice Bill soon to start its passage through the Scottish Parliament.

Duncan Orr-Ewing, of the Royal Society for the Protection of Birds, said “Egg collectors from England often travel here to steal rare eggs because they think Scotland is the soft option. The introduction of custodial sentences will hopefully stop this from happening.”