Landowners unite to call for prosecutions over bird poisoning

In a letter to Roseanna Cunningham, the environment minister, they say they are "utterly dismayed" by poisoning cases in recent years.

The landowners hope their unequivocal stance will help efforts by other rural interests to tackle wildlife crime.

Altogether, 218 estates and lairds signed the letter, including the dukes of Westminster, Roxburghe, Argyll and Buccleuch; lords Aberdeen, Dalhousie and Dalmeny; and the earls of Aboyne, Lindsay and Seafield.

The move is described as "pro-active" and not the result of a formal survey. Other estates are expected to add their support in the coming weeks.

The letter states: "It is widely recognised that wildlife management is a complex business that continually throws up new challenges but nothing can justify illegal activity.

"It is for us a straightforward decision to underline our view of illegal poisoning. Frankly, we condemn it out of hand and it has to stop.

"The message must go out to the people who indulge in such criminal behaviour that what they do is totally unacceptable to the overwhelming majority who have the true interests of the countryside at heart."

A report from RSPB Scotland in March showed that 27 birds of prey were killed in 22 poisoning incidents last year, including golden eagles, buzzards, red kites and a sea eagle.

Earlier this month three golden eagles, as well as a sparrowhawk and buzzard, were found dead near Skibo Castle in Sutherland amid fears they were deliberately poisoned.

Last June a poisoned golden eagle was found dead in the Glen Orchy area of Argyll, and the following month another poisoned golden eagle was found in Glen Esk in Angus.

This year a dead white-tailed sea eagle was discovered by RSPB staff on the Glenogil Estate, owned by multimillionaire John Dodd, the co-founder of Artemis Investment Management. Mr Dodd has denied any wrongdoing by himself or his staff.

Earlier this month Andrew Thin, chairman of Scottish Natural Heritage, attacked landowners for a failure to condemn publicly the poisoning of protected birds of prey by estates.

Yesterday Mr Thin said: "I welcome the condemnation by the majority of landowners regarding this illegal and despicable behaviour by a minority.

"However, we are looking to the landowning community to work with the authorities to cut this cancer from their midst once and for all."

A RSPB spokesman said: "We are glad that a lead has been taken in the light of recent reported crimes and others that are still under investigation.

"The use of illegal poisons and traps must not be tolerated and has no place in a modern Scotland. Estate owners and managers now need to take responsibility for getting this message across to their staff, and rooting this problem out once and for all."