Freedom of Information Request - Orkney Raven Control Changes
Date: 09 October 2025
Our ref: SIR181673/A5484059
Information Request – Orkney Raven Control Changes
Your Request
Concerning NatureScot's recently announced changes to licensing for controlling ravens in Orkney.
On Thursday, August 14, I received the following comment from the NatureScot media team: “We’re currently working with stakeholders to gather data and plan to introduce an area licensing scheme for Orkney before next spring. We will update farmers and stakeholders on this and a range of measures later this summer.”
This followed a meeting between NatureScot staff and stakeholders in Orkney in May.
By way of the FOI act, I would like to request information about the lead-up to the May meeting and the changes to the licensing system that have been worked since then.
Specifically, please provide all briefing notes, minutes, reports (feasibility studies, options appraisals etc) about the proposed changes to Orkney raven control measures.
Our Response
We have discussed your request with our Licensing, Operations and Ornithologists, and a copy of the information is provided separately to this response.
NatureScot is not changing the legal process on how we licence the control of ravens on Orkney, we will continue to use already proven and established licensing methods, including the ability to licence specific problem areas collectively e.g. over a geographical area, and provide a holistic licensing solution to the issues faced.
We have redacted out any personal data from the information being released to you. Releasing personal data into the public domain in response to your request would breach the Data Protection Act 2018. We are therefore withholding the information under EIRs Regulation 11(2) (Personal data).
We have also redacted out information related to Raven nest site locations. As the release of information under the EIRs is in effect releasing this information into the public domain, we do not believe it is in the public interest to release this information as it might enable disturbance to those Raven nest sites. We have applied EIRs Regulation 10(5)(g) (Protection of the environment) to this information.
We have also redacted information which is out-with the scope of the request as it relates to the logistics of getting NatureScot staff to the meeting on Orkney.
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
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