Scottish Parliament votes to ban unlicensed mountain hare culling and make them a protected species

Members of the Scottish Parliament (MSP; Scottish Gaelic: Ball Pàrlamaid na h-Alba, BPA)  have voted to ban the unlicensed culling of mountain hares and to make them a protected species. Mountain hares are Scotland's only native hare, where they could have existed since the last ice age. MSPs passed an amendment giving greater protection for mountain hares. It was proposed by Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone and now forms part of the new Animals and Wildlife Bill. This Bill allows for the worst animal cruelty offences to be punishable by up to five years in prison, an unlimited fine or both.

The killing of mountain hares has been increasingly criticised, with ecologists pointing to the a marked decline in the species since the 1950s. The Scottish Government (Scottish Gaelic: Riaghaltas na h-Alba) has put forward figures suggesting about 26,000 hares are killed every year. The amendment to protect the mountain hare has been passed despite opposition by some land management groups. However, Scottish Minister for Rural Affairs and the Natural Environment, Maria Gougeon said 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". She added that the measure: "strikes an appropriate balance between the interests of those involved in land management and protecting an iconic Scottish species".

Image above: Mountain Hare

Image below: Scottish Green MSP Alison Johnstone