大象传媒

It鈥檚 an industry worth 拢23 million a year to the rural economy. But does grouse shooting need tougher restrictions, to regulate how its vast moors are managed?

Last year, a Scottish Government-commissioned report recommended that, if the industry didn鈥檛 do more to protect birds of prey and the environment, new licensing laws should be brought in within five years.

The Scottish government have now revealed that a licensing scheme for running grouse shooting estates will be brought into force. Critics have described the plans as 鈥渄raconian鈥� while animal welfare groups have called for licensing at the very least. The Nine鈥檚 social affairs correspondent Chris Clements has been looking into the story.