Scottish SPCA may be given new powers
The Scottish Government is seeking the public's views on granting new powers to SSPCA.
New powers to tackle wildlife crime may be given to the Scottish Society for the Protection of Animals (SSPCA).
The Scottish Government has launched a consultation on whether the charity should be able to investigate crimes relating to wild birds and other protected animals, as well as poaching, snaring and non-native species.
Powers given to the charity could include accessing land and premises to look for and seize evidence. A warrant would be required to enter dwellings and locked buildings.
Other proposals include allowing the SSPCA to investigate situations where animals are not in distress, such as checking illegal traps where no animal has been caught, or the animal is already dead.
Environment minister Paul Wheelhouse said: "Preventing wildlife crime is at the top of our agenda but it can be difficult to detect and investigate which can lead to difficulties in mounting prosecutions and convicting those responsible."
Such crimes are often committed in remote areas where there are no witnesses and loss of evidence often occurs due to the length of time before crimes are discovered, he explained
"The proposals to increase the powers for SSPCA inspectors could provide an additional resource to Police Scotland in an area of crime which can be time consuming and difficult to investigate," Mr Wheelhouse added.
The Government is looking for views on these proposals to help gain an idea of public opinion on possible methods.
Defra has published guidance for the vet sector ahead of a proposed UK-EU Sanitary and Phytosanitary agreement.
