Scottish Government seeks public opinion on wild animals in circuses

January 2014: Although at present there are no circuses with wild animals in Scotland the public have until April to submit their views on a potential ban aimed at protecting the welfare of wild animals.The Scottish Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:“I think it’s important to make it clear that there are no travelling circuses with wild animals presently based in Scotland. This particular issue is one which is attracting concern elsewhere and is being considered in other areas of the UK. It is therefore prudent that we also consider the implications for Scotland. “The health and wellbeing of these animals is clearly something which is close to many people’s hearts and is one of the main reasons why we are seeking views in this consultation. The following ethical considerations are explored in this consultation; respect for wild animals, the travelling environment and the ethical cost versus any potential benefit.

“I understand that circuses bring joy to a number of people, however, we must weight this up with the welfare of the animals - something that I and the Scottish Government take extremely seriously. We need to gain a clearer understanding of the picture in Scotland and this consultation will allow us to gain the evidence needed before pressing ahead with any decision.”

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http://www.wildlifeextra.com/go/news/Scotland-wild-animal-circus-vote.html

Scottish Budget: RSPB Scotland call on budget to ‘invest in nature’

As the Scottish Government proposes its draft budget to Parliament, RSPB Scotland has said there is a need for adequate Government spending to ensure the country’s outstanding natural environment is protected and restored.

RSPB said as well as being important in its own right, such investment would contribute to ‘green growth’ by underpinning many industries including tourism, farming and crofting, fishing and Scotch Whisky. It would also help maximise the contribution of nature to the fight against climate change.

RSPB Scotland will be seeking a number of commitments when Finance Secretary John Swinney MSP delivers his Draft Budget for 2013-2014 including continuation of adequate funding for Scotland’s agri-environment schemes, to support farmers and crofters choosing to manage land in an environmentally friendly manner; a real commitment of £12m a year over ten years to fund peatland restoration across Scotland, both for its wildlife value but also for its carbon storage and capturing capacity; and adequate resources for Scotland’s statutory nature conservation body, SNH, and other public bodies, such as SEPA, the National Parks, etc, so that they can grasp the challenges of managing and protecting our special wildlife sites (SSSIs) and that of meeting the Government’s 2020 targets for biodiversity.


Continued:  http://www.govopps.co.uk/scottish-budget-rspb-scotland-call-on-budget-to-%E2%80%98invest-in-nature%E2%80%99/