Wildlife crime review announced

Ministers said wildlife crime was increasingly significant

A wide-ranging review of wildlife crime, including attacks on birds of prey, has been announced.

Scottish Environment Minister Mike Russell said it would look into the prevention, investigation and prosecution of such crimes.

Scotland's police forces and the prosecution service are to report on the review in Spring 2008.

Poaching, illegal pearl mussel fishing and hare coursing have also been flagged up as problems in Scotland.

Mr Russell told the Scottish Parliament: "Wildlife crime is an issue which is becoming increasingly significant in this country, not least the persecution of birds of prey.

"A few weeks ago I had to hold the corpse of a golden eagle, the victim of a sickening poisoning in Peebleshire.

"But sadly, that case is just one of a number of recent incidents across Scotland which has appalled the public."

Solicitor General Frank Mulholland stressed that, as with all offences, prosecutions could only take place where there was sufficient evidence to establish a crime and identify a culprit.