Scotland's economy benefits from grouse shooting
Habitat management and predator control are some of the key costs shouldered by sporting estates that support Scotland’s rare and iconic purple heather moors and upland birds. In the face of challenging conditions for the economy and grouse production, the report calls on policy makers to engage with the grouse shooting industry to ensure it can sustain this economic activity.
The report was researched and produced by economists at the Fraser of Allander Institute, Strathclyde University. It updates three previous economic studies of grouse moor investment and highlights that grouse shooting now generates at least £23.3 million per annum for the Scottish rural economy and supports over 1072 full-time equivalent jobs, figures up since the last review was conducted in 2001. The most economically active moors were mid-size, around 7500ha, and those moors which focused on producing driven grouse. Shooting grouse on smaller and larger estates by walking-up and using dogs also made important contributions to the business and national economies. And in recent years 41% estates have been able to recover all their costs of producing grouse. This is a substantial change from the early 1990s when only 1% of grouse moors were profitable.
But the economic resilience of grouse shooting is being tested by falling numbers of grouse being shot. In 2009 the study suggests slightly less than half as many grouse were shot in Scotland as in 2001. In order to maintain investment in heather moor management, all forms of shooting have had to become more expensive and the study shows how more shooting days are now let commercially than in the past.
This is a concern to Stewart Dunlop of the Fraser of Allander Institute who authored the report: “The data collected makes it very clear how grouse shooting directly benefits jobs and spending in remote rural areas in Scotland, and brings wider benefits for businesses trading on Scotland’s landscape and nature. With the Scottish Environment Secretary arguing that Scottish natural heritage tourism is vital to the Scottish economy, this report strongly suggests that Scottish policymakers should engage with the grouse industry to secure and potentially increase its contribution to the Scottish economy.”
Dr Adam Smith, Director Scotland for the Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust agreed: “This report clearly shows that Scotland is benefiting to the tune of millions of pounds from economically active moors, where grouse shooting is the main aim. It is therefore a grave concern that grouse numbers appear to remain under pressure from predation, disease and future afforestation when shooting has such socio-economic benefits. The GWCT is working with the Scottish Gamekeepers' Association and other bodies to ensure that policies and tools are developed by Government and agencies that ensure grouse shooting can continue. Let’s hope that the grouse season in 2010 allows businesses, communities and the economy to reap the rewards of hard working gamekeepers and other moorland managers.”
Douglas McAdam CEO of the Scottish Rural Property and Business Association said: “The potential for expanding these benefits to Scotland’s economy and ecology is considerable. At least 50% of heather moorland in Scotland is not yet seeing the kind of investment associated with driven grouse shooting. We hope that the Government recognises the need for policies which support habitat management, predator and disease control and for legislation that works to encourage such inward investment in the future.”
The immediate future for such investment is good as the 2010 red grouse shooting season starts on the Glorious 12th of August with the numbers of birds looking fairly healthy. GWCT researchers have been tramping across Scotland’s moors to ascertain just exactly what the forecast for grouse is and senior upland scientist Dr Kathy Fletcher is optimistic:
“The severe winter did not have as dramatic impact on the red grouse as initially thought. In 2010 we have found on average nearly two young grouse for every old one. This means there are a greater number of grouse on Scotland’s moors this year with an average of 91 grouse per 100ha of moorland, an increase of some 59% over 2009.”
The Trust’s long-term monitoring suggests that there are currently about one million red grouse in Scotland. However the population is not evenly distributed. While some moors in parts of Tayside and Moray have struggled to maintain their grouse populations the grouse prospects may be similar, and better at most sites, compared with last year for many estates in Angus, the Monadhliath and Cairngorms. Ideas why the grouse have come through this severe winter so relatively well were suggested by Dr Adam Smith:
“It’s likely to have been a combination of effects rather than anyone overriding factor. Low exposure to parasites during the winter, and moorland plants being protected by the snow cover may have enabled hen grouse to lay their eggs promptly this year. This year’s chick hatch then appeared to be well timed with high abundances of food bugs which are important to the chicks in their first few weeks. This year’s success may also reflect increased levels of investment in all aspects of grouse management including predator control and muirburn by many estates over the medium term.”
Copies of the Trust report can be obtained from, The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust Scottish Headquarters, The Control Tower, Scone, Perthshire PH2 6PL. T: 01738 551511 or downloaded at Economic Grouse Study.
Notes to editors
The Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust is an independent wildlife conservation charity which carries out scientific research into Britain’s game and wildlife. We advise farmers and landowners on improving wildlife habitats and we lobby for agricultural and conservation policies based on science. We employ 14 post-doctoral scientists and 50 other research staff with expertise in areas such as birds, insects, mammals, farming and statistics. We undertake our own research as well as projects funded by contract and grant-aid from Government and private bodies. The Trust is also responsible for a number of Government Biodiversity Action Plan species and is lead partner for grey partridge and joint lead partner for brown hare and black grouse.
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