Protecting birds of prey

RSPB Scotland recently launched a pledge asking individuals to recognise the importance of Scotland's bird of prey populations, and called for an end to the illegal killing that undermines their populations.

The damage being caused by human killing of birds of prey was clearly demonstrated with the launch of the Golden Eagle Framework (your report, 2 July). It highlights illegal poisoning and other forms of killing as the main factors behind the poor health of our national golden eagle population.

We are delighted this pledge has received the support of a wide range of individuals, including bodies representing landowning and gamekeeping interests.

We wrote last week to Alex Hogg, chairman of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, asking the association to sign the pledge, and we hope this support will be forthcoming. We trust this clarifies recent correspondence from Mr Hogg and others on this issue (Letters, 1 and 2 July).

DUNCAN ORR-EWING

Head of species and land management, RSPB Scotland

Ravelston Terrace, Edinburgh