Sporran wearers may need licence

The laws are designed to protect endangered species like otters, whose fur used to be favoured by sporran makers.

The legislation applies to animals killed after 1994.

Applicants must prove that the animal was killed lawfully before they will be able to get a licence.

The conservation regulations were designed to close a number of loopholes and bring Scotland into line with other EU members.

The law already applied to other vulnerable animals like badgers, deer, wildcats, hedgehogs, bats, lynx, moles, seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises.

"Having a licence... will ensure they will not be prosecuted or have it taken from them under the new regulations"
Scottish Executive spokeswoman

The regulations require anyone who owns any part of a protected animal to obtain a licence.

The maximum penalties for breaking the law are a fine of £5,000 and six months in prison.

Hamish Husband, spokesman for the Association of Tartan Army Clubs, said the legislation could affect fans who follow their national football team.

"Are the police going to take DNA samples from the sporran of every kilted supporter who walks into Hampden?" he asked.

"If that's the case we will need to look into obtaining a licence to cover the entire Tartan Army."

The new rules will also cover fishing flies made from animal hair.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said the new rules had been put in place to bring Scotland into line with existing European legislation designed to protect vulnerable species.

"The licence will allow people who possess artefacts made from these species in circumstances compliant with earlier laws to keep them," she said.

"This could be family heirlooms of various descriptions.

"Having a licence for such an artefact, proving it was obtained legally, will ensure they will not be prosecuted or have it taken from them under the new regulations."

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Scottish Executive
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