Freedom of Information Request - Pending decisions on General Licence restrictions
Date: 04 August 2025
Our ref: SIR181072/A5320919
Information Request – Pending decisions on General Licence restrictions
Your Request
NatureScot has advised that it has received an information package from Police Scotland in relation to a potential General Licence restriction relating to the suspected shooting of Golden Eagle 'Merrick' on 12 October 2023 and that this case is 'currently under consideration'.
Please can you advise the date on which NatureScot received the information package from Police Scotland.
Our Response
We can confirm that we received an initial information package from Police Scotland on the 18 April 2024, then additional information on the 3 May 2024.
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
