Chamber and committees

It was not possible to finalise arrangements for the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation research project planned for this spring. It was evident that there would have been an inadequate period for the project to collect results before there would have been a risk of relocated adult sparrowhawks leaving dependent young. It is expected that the research project will resume in the autumn, provided that all legal and animal welfare requirements are satisfactorily resolved.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

I refer the member to the answer to question S3W-10994 on 15 April 2008. All answers to written parliamentary questions are available on the Parliament''s website, the search facility for which can be found at http://www.scottish.parliament.uk/webapp/wa.search.

The sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project has been postponed until after the 2008 breeding season. Licences for the project will be required under section 16 of the Wildlife and Countryside Act 1981. It is not normal practice to publicise the issue of individual licences.

The sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project has been postponed until after the 2008 breeding season. The Scottish Government takes the view that the sparrowhawk trapping and relocation project is outwith the scope of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources guidelines on reintroduction and translocation. The guidelines state that :

Re-introductions or translocations of species for short-term, sporting or commercial purposes - where there is no intention to establish a viable population - are a different issue and beyond the scope of these guidelines.

The sparrowhawk translocation project is not aimed at establishing a long-term viable population in a new location. The project is aimed at providing research evidence to assist in assessing whether translocation of individual birds can reduce or eliminate predation losses suffered by owners of pigeons.

This information is not held centrally.

Strathclyde Police has one full-time wildlife crime officer.

The deployment of personnel to undertake wildlife crime duties is an operational matter for chief constables.