Freedom of Information Request - Correspondence with SGA re: 'Who Monitors the Monitors?'
Date: 19 September 2024
Our ref: SIR176833/A4736518
Information Request – Correspondence with SGA re: 'Who Monitors the Monitors?’
Thank you for your information request, which we received on 26 August 2024. We have considered your request under the Environmental Information (Scotland) Regulations 2004 (‘the EIRs’).
Your Request
'Earlier this year (around May, I think), the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) sent you a report entitled 'Who Monitors the Monitors?', which focused on the activities of the Scottish Raptor Study Group (SRSG).
The SGA was seeking an additional licensing condition for SRSG members which would require them to inform land managers prior to monitoring a Schedule 1 nest site.
Please can you provide copies of any response that NatureScot has provided to the SGA on the basis of its report/request for further licensing conditions, and any further correspondence between NatureScot and the SGA on this issue'.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Wildlife Management team, who have provided the information that meets the terms of your request. This is attached separately.
We have marked out (redacted) some personal data in the documents provided. Releasing the personal data into the public domain in response to an access to information request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under EIRs Regulation 11(2) (Personal data).
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
Document downloads
Due to accessibility issues the attached information, referenced above, is available on request by contacting the FOI team at [email protected]. Please reference the case number (starting with SIR).
Last updated:
