Along with other rural bodies, such as NFU Scotland, the SGA had proposed the retention of humane cable restraints under licence, for specific purposes.
Today, that proposal was rejected by Scottish Government.
A Spokesman for The Scottish Gamekeepers Association said:
“The decision is wrong. Scotland’s biodiversity will rue this day.
“With all the evidence in favour of retaining humane cable restraints, the only explanation we can give is that this is political.
“Regardless of which Minister delivered the final message, the SGA and its members remain convinced this was a deal made at Bute House between Scottish Government and its Green coalition partners, shortly after the last election back in 2021.
“This type of new politics is not serving rural Scotland well and people in the farming and gamekeeping community will have cause to remember this day when they are suffering loss and damage.”
