A fifth of Scotland’s land mass is given over to grouse moors - but 80% of us never eat it
Most Scots never eat any grouse – yet vast tracts of the country are given over to the slaughter of the game birds.
A civil society collective says there is a huge disparity between how much is consumed, the resources allocated to grouse shooting and its impacts
The Revive coalition says it has conducted research which shows that just 0.25% of the population, which is one in 400 adults in Scotland, regularly eat grouse more than once or twice a year, while 80% say they never eat it.
Despite this, almost a fifth of Scotland’s land mass is given over to grouse moors, on which hundreds and thousands of birds are shot over the four month shooting season from August to December.
Revive coalition, which includes OneKind, Friends of the Earth Scotland, League Against Cruel Sports, Raptor Persecution UK and Common Weal, is campaigning for grouse moor reform, encouraging a national dialogue about how Scotland’s moors should be utilised.
It believes that a fresh look at how this land is used could be better for Scotland’s economy, its people, its environment and its fauna.
Studies have linked the management of grouse moors and wildlife crime.
Revive campaigner Max Wiszniewski said: “The Revive coalition was formed by like-minded organisations concerned that almost a fifth of Scotland is used for grouse shooting. To now have the evidence that so few Scots actually eat grouse, despite such a disproportionate area of Scotland being used for the sport is appalling.”
The Countryside Alliance, which represents shooting interests, is running a campaign called Game To Eat, which stats that grouse is “much sought after” and a “delicacy for all Brits to be proud of”.
It says the campaign “continues to sustain the demand, and encourage even more people to try and enjoy this delicious and nutritious food.”
However, Wiszniewski responded: “These figures simply add fuel to our campaign, making us more determined to reform Scotland’s grouse moors to benefit our communities, our environment and our wildlife rather than being wasted for the entertainment of a very small minority.”
