Response to todays SNH & RSPB replies

For the benefit of those not on Facebook today I received replies from both SNH and the RSPB please see questions, and replies from this morning and this evenings responses from me. Our question to SNH 07.04.16; can SNH explain why in cases of massed Raven attacks on both in-lamb ewes and new-born lambs, it issues a licence to kill two Ravens when the applicant has clearly when they have clearly explained that the issue is flocks of up to 30 Ravens. Answer from SNH 07.04.16; Hi Danny we are aware of this petition and of the interest in adding Ravens to the birds which may be killed under the General licence. The list of species' which can be controlled in this way is something which we keep under regular review. We are due to hold a consultation on General Licences later this year and following the outcome of that process, we will consider what changes, if any, are required for the general licences. Our reply to response from SNH 08.04.16; Thank you for the response can SNH advise on any planned changes for the interim period between now and the 2017 review to alleviate the current issue which is massed flocks causing untold damage to livestock and the issue of a cull licence which does not go far enough to meet the demands of the issue? Our question to RSPB 07.04.16;Can RSPB state their position on the addition of the Common Raven to the 02/2016 General licence please. This question is in light of the huge losses suffered throughout the Scottish Sheep Farming Community at the hands of the Common Raven Reply from RSPB 07.04.16; It's completely understandable why this would be a distressing situation, however SNH does regularly issue licences to farmers to kill Ravens for livestock protection. We think it is therefor completely unnecessary to put Raven on the General Licence, which would result in poorly regulated, unrestricted killing of Ravens. It should be remembered that the Ravens in the East of Scotland are only now recovering from historical eradication and would be once again vulnerable to local extinction if SNH allowed a free-for-all on these birds. Hope that helps to answer your question. Our Reply to RSPB 08.04.16; Thank you for attempting to put something together; however your reply to the question falls far short of justifying the RSPB current and previously demonstrated position which is to block the Common Raven from been added to the SNH General Licence despite calls by other countryside associations. I would like to further discuss the following points in relation to your earlier reply prior to discussing further. By referring to the situation as “distressing” let us not detract from the serious matter in hand which is infuriating and not focus on emotions and heart strings. Yes admittedly i have touched on an emotional impact, I would concede matter is distressing to the hundreds of young children up and down the country involved in the lambing season who witness this brutal acts by a predatory uncontrolled bird, however the issue is not one of a rural upbringing; it is one of the RSPB and their position of blocking a predatory bird which is causing mass losses to the sheep farming community being entered onto the General Licence. That is infuriating not distressing! Figures and statistics quoted within SNH and BTO Study Looking Out for Birds agree with the RSPB position that raven numbers in East coast areas are on the increase. However this study also indicated the breeding success rate of the species to be “Average breeding success is 3 chicks per pair each year.” is alarming to the Sheep Farming Community, considering the currently observed devastating effects on livestock. When will the RSPB concede that the breeding rates of this species is a growing concern to livestock holders and further concede that with breeding success rates being as stated above, linked with the lack of a natural predators, this species requires robust population control such as that of being entered onto the General Licence to prevent increasing damage year on year to livestock which cull licences do not go far enough to meet? The RSPB comments within your response identify a “Free for all” “Un-restricted” “Poorly Regulated” attitude would be the result of the Ravens addition to the General Licence. Will the RSPB please offer any evidence that is the case with any other species currently covered within the General Licence? Furthermore the RSPB would do well to note that SNH reserve the right to revoke this General Licence at any time and also “reserves the right to exclude the use of this General Licence by certain persons and/or on certain areas of land where there is evidence to suggest that a wild bird or birds have either been killed, injured or taken or where there has been an attempt to do so other than in accordance with a licence, or where General Licences are being misused.” It would be greatly appreciated if the RSPB would provide clarification on the above points prior to further discussions. I look forward to your further comments.