Ster Eo Ty Ping

STEREOTYPING which promotes grouse shooting show her hand... It looks like she just Cunningham’s endeavours all the and highlights the wider industry has’. (RPUK July 2015) more difficult, and we should all involvement from estates, keepers Whilst it is recognised and bear that in mind when voicing and their families to restaurants and respected that game-shooting is our criticism. That’s not to say we other related business, is predictably not for everyone, it is apparent that shouldn’t continue to criticise; on ostracised and renamed ‘The Gift RPUK, despite their claims to be the contrary, the Government should of Rogues’ with ‘idiots’ at the helm. conservationists, do not wish to expect to be held to account and (RPUK 2018). RPUK, ignoring the acknowledge grouse moors are a public pressure over the last few years indirect benefits of grouse shooting haven for many rare and endangered has brought things a very long way, to red-listed waders and other nesting moorland species, both flora and but we need to make sure our criticism birds or to the wider rural economy, fauna and ignore the considerable is aimed at the right target.’ RPUK seek to undermine the industry benefits to the fragile rural economy. June 2017 claiming red grouse to be toxic, Furthermore, they resent and frustrate Woe betide anyone who does not diseased and unsustainably harvested. any attempts at partnership working conform, successive environment Highlighting grouse as a sustainable and condemn politicians who actively ministers have frequently been made food source brought criticism of both engage with the shooting industry. to feel the wrath, accompanied by SNH and Dr. Aileen McLeod, the then threats: Politics, Networks and Campaigns Environment Secretary who attended Roseanna Cunningham is ‘thick’: the Highland show in 2015. Dr. Ruth Tingay has many connections ‘Roseanna Cunningham (Scottish McLeod was seen in attendance at the and considerable campaign Environment Minister) and SNH – you food tent for Scotland’s Natural larder, experience. A director of Wild Justice, should be ashamed of yourselves – we a joint initiative from SNH with BASC Ruth, together with Chris Packham expected better from you. Ministers and others to promote game and fish and Mark Avery campaign to ban claim that the new licensing scheme as a natural and valuable food source. driven grouse shooting and attempt to will help to prevent illegal raptor ‘What on earth is SNH playing at? Why thwart the issue of general licences, they have also just won a judicial persecution. Just how thick are you?’ is this statutory conservation agency (RPUK, May 2010) actively promoting an industry with review into game bird release. RPUK Paul Wheelhouse is threatened: such shocking ecological credentials and is a member of the REVIVE coalition claiming that eating this product (red which campaigns for grouse moor ‘According to the BBC article, grouse) is good for us and good for the reform and REVIVE is a supporter of Environment Minister Paul Wheelhouse environment?’ Scottish Environment Link (Scotlink) has given his strongest indication yet What RPUK considered was even with which Ruth Tingay is also that the introduction of new measures more unacceptable was Dr. McLeod associated. The Scotlink Forum of to tackle illegal raptor persecution is attending the SGA tent at the Game which there are 38 members and imminent. To be brutally frank, he’s Fair at Scone: numerous supporters includes going to find himself at the centre of a fucking shit-storm if he doesn’t’. ‘A few days ago we had Scottish Natural the Scottish Raptor Study Group, (RPUK, Jun 2013) Heritage, the Government’s statutory Onekind, Friends of the Earth, RSPB nature conservation body, promoting and The Scottish Wildlife Trust and Paul Wheelhouse Environment Scotland’s dead wildlife pantry and are currently promoting an active Minister speaking at SNP party the grouse shooting industry, claiming campaign which claims ‘To fight for conference about raptor persecution: that red grouse are ‘healthy’, natural’ Scotland’s Nature’. “I hope offenders heed the warning, and harvested ‘sustainably’ when The RPUK blog with assimilation to stop spoiling what is a strong industry actually they’re anything but … And Green party ideology and close links in the rural economy for Scotland, and now we have Scotland’s Environment to the Scottish Greens, provides a make no mistake, as I say, we will not Minister, Dr Aileen McLeod, praising “the conduit for this extensive network hesitate to act if they do not listen to significant and valuable contribution” of offering copious information regarding what we are saying”. the Scottish Gamekeepers’ Association political allegiances, lobbying RPUK: ‘Now we just need to keep as she presented the SGA’s Young contacts, petitions and fund-raising holding the Minister’s feet to the fire Gamekeeper of the Year Award 2015 requests to support various campaigns to ensure that these threats amount to at the Scottish Game Fair yesterday…… such as fighting badger culls and more more than just rhetoric’. (RPUK Nov 14) We’ve been waiting for Dr McLeod to recently, contributing towards a Wild Dr. Aileen McLeod will be rewarded if Justice fund for forensic investigation she behaves: into raptor crimes. We keep being told that ‘we need more Aware of the political interest in time to assess the impact of the new the blog, the editor frequently measures’. Why do we? Isn’t it bleedin’ challenges politicians to obvious that raptor persecution is demonstrate their solidarity and continuing despite all the so-called respond to her demands for action partnership-working, new measures and and further legislation. RPUK are deterrents? The Minister may well be politically savvy and aim to optimise irritated that her inbox gets bombarded the political scene to advantage: after each raptor crime but she can ‘For those of us interested in rural expect more of the same each and every S policy decisions in Scotland, and time we hear of yet another crime. And cotti S there will be more, mark our words. h particularly those related to dealing G with illegal raptor persecution, it’s She should also know that if and when amekeeper well worth taking a moment to she decides to make a stand with consider the political divisions within something forceful and tangible, she’ll the SNP because those divisions be deluged with emails of appreciation will undoubtedly make Roseanna and support (RPUK 21.9.15). 17 flying in the Cairngorms National Park with a supposed trap attached to its leg, again the commentary was a confusing mix of apology, flattery and accusation: STEREOTYPING I’m sorry, Nicola Sturgeon, Roseanna Cunningham and Mairi Gougeon, as much as I admire you as strong, intelligent female politicians, I am no longer prepared to make excuses for you. It is your collective failure to act decisively that has led to these continuing Scottish ministers are not the only ones It could be argued that raptor atrocities who come under attack; Jim Shannon, species are disproportionately (RPUK 13 Aug 2019) DUP, after expressing concern at the distributed in favour of the The Conservatives, however, rise in the numbers of birds of prey, Scottish Greens. Is this a do not find favour; in 2018, the was heavily criticised and referred to deliberate ploy by Scotlink, an Angus Glens Moorland Group as a ‘dim-witted dinosaur’ and making a organisation that receives funding were awarded winners of the fool of himself (RPUK 2017). from SNH and the Scottish Conservation and Environment In contrast, the hen harrier species Government and with which Ruth category at the Scottish Rural champion, Mairi Gougeon was met Tingay of RPUK is associated? Awards ceremony, their local MSP, with favour when appointed to her new The Scottish Greens are certainly Liam Kerr submitted a motion to role as Minister for Rural Affairs and met with favour: the Scottish Parliament, seeking Natural Environment. With reference to Andy Wightman congratulation and recognition. ‘Well done, Mairi, we look forward to ‘We don’t just admire him, we’re in The response: ‘So far, 13 April seeing you continue to speak up for awe of him’(April 2017) Fool MSPs have signed it. Strangely raptors and other protected species…’ With reference to Mark Ruskell: they’re all Conservatives.’ (RPUK Jun 2018). ‘Kudos to the Scottish Greens and The award and the Angus Glens Species Champion is a Scotlink especially to Mark Ruskell MSP who Moorland Group were also initiative, ‘Species Champion asks has maintained the pressure on this ridiculed, referred to as ‘Winners Members of the Scottish Parliament particular issue for all these years. of complete bollocks award’ with (MSPs) to lend political support to the 13.8.19 associated photos of pigs testicles. protection of Scotland’s threatened This favour of the ingroup is (RPUK April 2018) wildlife by becoming ‘Species in complete contrast to the Political alliances are much in Champions’.’ Excluding owls, raptor condemnation of the ‘men in evidence on the RPUK blog, species champions in the current tweed’ and their alliances. the networks that exist and Scottish Parliament are as follows: When Scottish Ministers their campaigns. The ingroup • Andy Wightman Green MSP: Nicola Sturgeon, Roseanna endorsements are apparent, Golden Eagle Cunningham and Mairi Gougeon however that may also be • Mike Ruskell Green MSP: rightly remain silent over an deliberate; it could be argued they White Tailed Sea Eagle investigation or incident, there is serve to reinforce the ideology of • Donald Cameron Conservative MSP: a peculiar mixture of flattery and group dominance and strengthen Merlin condemnation not to mention the perceived ‘correctness’ of their • Bill Kidd SNP MSP: Red Kite antagonism: own worldview (Esses et al, 2010). • Bob Dorris SNP MSP: Peregrine 16.7.19 Regarding a hen harrier Authority • John Mason SNP: MSP: Kestrel found in a trap: Politicians are not the only ones • Mairi Gougeon SNP MSP: ‘It is utterly baffling why these held to account, the police and Hen Harrier three intelligent, thoughtful, the judiciary are also challenged.

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