Lochs are classified as having a “good” environmental status based on samples from other lochs many miles away – and as much as a decade old – prompting concerns that environmental regulation isn’t “fit for purpose”.
Deer overpopulation in many parts of Scotland is harming the environment. Attempts to tackle the longstanding issue are costing taxpayers tens of millions of pounds.
A freedom of information response revealed there have been 193 charges in Scotland under the Terrorism Act 2000. The alleged offences link to banned groups like the Ulster Volunteer Force, Ulster Freedom Fighters, the IRA, and neo-Nazi group, National Action.
A fish farm company has started legal action to stop an anti-salmon campaigner visiting its sites covertly.
Scottish Sea Farms (SSF) has applied to Oban Sheriff Court for a court order against Don Staniford, a high profile activist who is director of Scamon Scotland.
SSF is seeking an interim order that would prohibit Staniford and his associates from coming within 15 meters of its property, flying drones over the sites, and using underwater drones in the site areas.
The salmon company argues that Staniford’s incursions on to fish farms are unlawful, and that his conduct poses a risk to the safety and wellbeing of the company’s staff.
Staniford has agreed to temporarily stay away from Scottish Sea Farms’ facilities, it has been reported.
In the writ asking for an interdict, SSF and its lawyers write: “The defender (Staniford) will not be interdicted from lawfully acting as an environmental activist. The terms of the interdict sought do not interfere with the responsible exercise of his right to peacefully and lawfully protest.”
Scotland’s biggest salmon farmer, Mowi, was recently granted an interdict preventing Staniford from encroaching within 15 metres of its farms and buildings, and SSF is seeking a similar ban.
Staniford – a high profile activist who covertly enters fish farms to film – regularly posts photos and videos of diseased and dying fish in fish farm pens online.
But he was accused by Mowi of distorting the truth, by editing together images in a way that makes the pens look worse than they are.
Staniford will appeal against Mowi’s ban.
Photo credit iStock and Richard Johnson
Deer overpopulation in many parts of Scotland is harming the environment. Attempts to tackle the longstanding issue are costing taxpayers tens of millions of pounds.
In the past the UK Animal and Plant Health Agency kept secret the salmon farms it censured on animal welfare grounds. Now it has changed its mind.
The Ferret visited a Scottish golf course that's won plaudits for its eco-friendly management to learn about the relationship the industry can have with nature and the environment.
We asked about the environmental records of Scotland’s 25 best golf courses. The US president’s resort in the north east was the only one to breach its licence in recent years.
