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Deer Taskforce response to Scottish Gamekeepers Association report

March 1st, 2012 by

Those with an interest in the future of deer management in Scotland have recently signed up to support the Scottish Government’s Code of Sustainable Deer Management. Far from the conflict that the SGA report portrays, there is increasing agreement on what needs to be done to manage deer populations sustainably for the benefit of our environment and the rural economy.

Ross Finnie appointed President of LINK – press release

December 14th, 2011 by

Scottish Environment LINK (the umbrella body for Scotland’s environmental NGOs) has announced that Ross Finnie is to become its next President. Mr Finnie was a MSP from 1999-2011 and Cabinet Minister for Rural Affairs and the Environment between 1999 and 2007. He will take up post as LINK President early next year, continuing the excellent work of Dr Helen Zealley OBE, President since 2008.

Joint Links press release on CAP reform proposals

November 9th, 2011 by

Unless the UK takes a strong line on making CAP payments, currently worth over £3 billion per year, do more towards maintaining and improving the natural environment and animal welfare, the current round of reforms may be little more then a ‘green-wash’ for the established status quo

Acting Locally press release

October 26th, 2011 by

Acting Locally, LINK’s Manifesto for the 2012 Scottish Council elections, is designed to assist politicians at all levels ensure that environmental matters are at the heart of their manifestos for the elections to Scotland’s Councils in May 2012.

Governance Matters – Press Release

October 19th, 2011 by

Scottish Environment LINK today  published a major report – Governance Matters, The Environment and Governance in Scotland – reviewing the environment movement’s experience of working with all branches of government since the 1999 re-establishment of the Scottish Parliament.  While welcoming the democratic progress made in Scotland since devolution, the report notes and offers criticism of serious limitations on citizen participation in government. Strong recommendations are made for debate on further reforms and improvements to the method and processes of government.

‘Patchy’ council commitment to the environment puts national targets at risk

April 20th, 2011 by

The patchy coverage of environmental issues across local authorities could be putting Scotland’s chances of meeting its national targets on issues such as climate change, public transport, biodiversity and active health at risk.

See also: Delivering the Environment for our Communities: an Audit of Single Outcome Agreements

Scotland’s seas still in desperate need of T.L.C: well-managed Marine Protected Areas more vital than ever

March 21st, 2011 by

As the third session of the Scottish Parliament draws to a close, Scottish Environment LINK says Scotland’s seas are still in desperate need of some T.L.C. Today, LINK publishes a brand new report showing just what needs to be done. All political parties are now challenged to commit to delivering an ecologically coherent network of well-managed marine protected areas (MPAs) during the next Parliamentary session.

The report, written for LINK by independent scientists from the Scottish Association for Marine Science, sets out a series of innovative management measures. It makes clear that management of human activities in and around MPAs is fundamental to their success.

See also: Report | Executive Summary | Briefing

Visionary Report Charts A Sustainable Future For Marine Renewables

June 17th, 2010 by

Today Scottish Environment LINK launch a visionary report setting out recommendations for the responsible growth of the fledgling marine renewables energy industry.

“Our report includes recommendations to safeguard the marine environment, thus helping the responsible development of the industry. Our vision is of a thriving industry that will help reduce the causes of climate change and bring secure longterm jobs whilst safeguarding a diverse, productive sea. By setting out clear environmental objectives along with simple, practical solutions, we set out our aims to avoid potential damage or conflict from the outset.

A Missed Opportunity? Wildlife Bill and Deer Management Planning

June 10th, 2010 by

We are concerned that the proposals do not offer a serious improvement to the current voluntary approach to Deer Management Planning, organised by the network of Scottish Deer Management Groups. We believe that the current voluntary approach to deer management planning has been given a chance over at least a decade or more and has proved largely ineffective, as evidenced by the recent Scottish Government response to Parliamentary questions on this subject. We think that Deer Management Groups need enhanced Scottish Government support to deliver effective deer management planning as part of wider sustainable land use planning and delivery of public goods…

Marine Act Heralds New Dawn For Management Of Scotland’s Seas

March 10th, 2010 by

Following a decade of campaigning by members of Scottish Environment LINK, and the passing of the Marine (Scotland) Bill by the Scottish Parliament on 4th February, today’s Royal Assent by Her Majesty the Queen creates the Marine (Scotland) Act 2010.

After almost ten years of campaigning, we are delighted that we now have a Marine (Scotland) Act. We particularly welcome the duty to protect and enhance our seas, a marine planning system that includes environmental targets and a duty to deliver a network of marine protected areas…