Privacy concerns lead to group’s expulsion
The Moorland Association is dismayed at its ejection from National Wildlife Crime Unit’s bird of prey group as it questions new measures.
The National Wildlife Crime Unit has rescinded the Moorland Association’s (MA) membership of the Bird of Prey Crime Priority Delivery Group, to the MA’s surprise and dismay. The move comes after the MA highlighted its concerns about proposed — and unprecedented — police surveillance operations at sites where crimes were “believed to have been committed”.
Prior to its expulsion, the MA had been advising its members to seek legal advice before granting permission to the police to place cameras, proximity alarms and detection equipment on private land without sufficient justification.
The MA believes these security measures amounted to a breach of privacy. It also suggested that measures this serious would never be accepted in any jurisdiction other than wildlife crime.
The MA says it has been a loyal member of the group since it was established and claims it has achieved more than any other partner in the consortium.
Campaign group Raptor Persecution UK, led by Dr Ruth Tingay — who is also a co-director of Wild Justice alongside Dr Mark Avery and Chris Packham — suggested that it was “excellent news” that the Moorland Association had at “long last been booted off” the group.
Bird of prey numbers are at a record high, with more hen harriers than at any point in the past 200 years. The MA therefore suggests that any new measures to prevent wildlife crime should be proportionate to the scale of the problem and in balance with individuals’ right to privacy. The MA has said it will raise this matter with both the Defra and the Home Office.
A spokesman for the Moorland Association told Shooting Times: “The Moorland Association remains wholly committed to eradicating wildlife crime. Our members have been at the forefront of protecting and boosting the number of hen harriers in England and many other species of bird of prey are also at their highest point for many decades.
“At the same time as rising populations, there has been a long-term reduction in the number of crimes against birds of prey. Where gamekeepers, landowners and partners work together, we have seen very positive results. We are disappointed not to be part of the Priority Delivery Group but our work to conserve and enhance the wildlife of the uplands continues.”
