Freedom of Information Request - Applications to cull birds of prey
Date: 16 December 2025
Our ref: SIR182471/A5627781
Information Request – Applications to cull birds of prey
Your Request
For the last five years up today's date, please provide
1.) A list of applications to cull birds of prey. i.e. golden eagles, sea eagles, buzzards, hen harriers, peregrine falcons, etc.
With date of application, location of planned cull, and details of planned cull.
2.) Who applied for the licence? Organisation and name if possible
3.) Reason for the planned cull
4.) Was the licence granted?
5.) Reason for refusal if applicable.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our licencing team and have responded to each of your questions below:
1. A list of applications to cull birds of prey, i.e. golden eagles, sea eagles, buzzards, hen harriers, peregrine falcons, etc.
This information is attached separately. This details all applications received for licences to lethally control specific birds of prey species, plus all active licences to lethally control ‘All Wild Bird’ species as these may include birds of prey (this will be confirmed in their returns).
The location is provided at a regional or local authority level. Releasing more detailed locational information into the public domain in response to this request risks some individuals involved in these licences being identified and could lead them to being targeted and/or harassed, posing a risk to public safety. We are therefore withholding this information under EIRs regulation 10(5)(a) (Public Safety).
Please note, whilst we do not issue licences to cull any birds of prey, licences can be sought for various licensable purposes to lethally control bird species, including birds of prey. These mainly include to preserve Public Health & Safety, preserve Air Safety (around airports) and for Preventing Serious Damage (usually to livestock).
2. Who applied for the licence? Organisation and name if possible
All licences issued by NatureScot are issued to named individuals rather than organisations.
We cannot provide applicant names because this information is personal data, and releasing this personal data into the public domain in response to an information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are also unable to provide detailed information on one of the applications as the location could identify the applicant. We are therefore withholding the names of the individuals under EIRs regulation 11(2) – Personal Data.
3. Reasons for the planned cull
As stated above, we do not issue licences to cull birds of prey – any licences approved are for lethal control, usually as an aid to scaring and other preventative measures, in areas where there is a threat to Public Health & Safety, Air Safety or where Preventing Serious Damage is the licensable purpose. The licensable purpose for each application is provided in the attached information.
4. Was the licence granted?
5. Reason for refusal if applicable.
This is provided in the attached information.
How We Handled Your Request
We believe you have asked for environmental information as defined in the Environmental Information (Scotland Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’), so we are dealing with your request under those regulations. To be able to use the EIRs, we must apply an exemption under section 39(2) of the Freedom of Information (Scotland) Act 2002 (‘FOISA’). The Scottish Information Commissioner’s guidance recommends that public authorities apply this exemption to environmental information and handle request under the EIRs.
If you would like to find out more about the access to information legislation, there is a guidance booklet available on the Scottish Information Commissioner’s website.
Review and Appeal
I hope this information meets your requirements, but if you are dissatisfied with how we have responded to your information request, please write to us within 40 working days explaining your concerns. You can contact us at Battleby, Redgorton, Perth, PH1 3EW or email us at [email protected]. We will carry out a review of our response and contact you with our findings within 20 working days.
If you are not satisfied following this, you can make an appeal to the Scottish Information Commissioner within 6 months. The Scottish Information Commissioner can be contacted at:
Scottish Information Commissioner
Kinburn Castle
Doubledykes Road
St Andrews
Fife
KY16 9DS
Telephone: 01334 464610
Yours sincerely
FOI Officer,
NatureScot
