In 1998, the late Donald Dewar rightly called the persecution of birds of prey in Scotland a “national disgrace”

, and 22 years on it remains a national disgrace.

The grouse shooting season begins today, and this week we have learned of the disappearance of a golden eagle on a grouse moor, which followed closely the news of a poisoned sea eagle. Sadly, such shocking events are far from rare. Indeed, a senior RSPB Scotland conservation officer has said:

“You become a little numb to it. You’re almost ... waiting for the next one.”

Scotland should be a haven for wildlife: it should not be a haven for wildlife crime. When will the First Minister finally act to end raptor persecution in Scotland once and for all?

I understand how serious those issues are, and also how understandably and legitimately upset people are about the issues that Alison Johnstone outlined.

Wildlife crime is a priority for Police Scotland. The Government is reviewing the law and guidance around those issues in a range of ways. I will ask the environment secretary to write to Alison Johnstone with an update on the Government’s considerations on those issues as soon as possible.