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Treaty to protect birds of prey
25/10/2007
Representatives from more than 60 countries across Europe, Asia and Africa have made significant progress on the development of an international treaty to conserve birds of prey this week.
The meeting, on the banks of Loch Lomond, was chaired by Scottish Natural Heritage, and has resulted in an agreed framework for a new international agreement to conserve migratory raptors.
The agreement will provide the basis for international action to tackle the threats faced by the birds, including climate change, agricultural intensification and persecution.
It is intended that government parties will formally sign the framework next year at a concluding meeting that will be held in the United Arab Emirates.
Scottish Minister for Environment Michael Russell was co-host of the event with his UK counterpart Joan Ruddock.
He said:
"This is tremendous news. I feel privileged to have been involved in this meeting as we collectively take a truly historic first step towards improving the prospects for these birds and their environment.
"Birds of prey - including Shirka the beautiful, but rather fearsome, golden eagle that I met on Monday - are magnificent creatures.
"Concerted action is needed to conserve and protect some key habitats and sites which are vital to their survival.
"For my part, I pledge to do what I can to take this work forward in our country, including cracking down on the recent disgraceful spate of poisonings that we've seen.
"I would like to congratulate everyone involved in the excellent work undertaken this week and look forward to hearing more about worldwide raptor conservation. Well done SNH on leading this."
Professor Colin Galbraith, director of policy and advice at Scottish Natural Heritage and chair of the conference added:
"The work that we have done over the last four days has seen governments and other organisations addressing the key issues affecting birds of prey including persecution, indiscriminate poisoning and habitat destruction.
"By today's final session the meeting has produced an over-arching framework and an action plan. This is tremendous progress, especially because migratory birds of prey include some of the most threatened species worldwide."
The agreement will provide the basis for international action to tackle the threats faced by the birds. Delegates agreed that climate change posed an increasing risk to the conservation of birds of prey and this would exacerbate the problems already caused by agricultural intensification and persecution. The conference agreed that reductions in human pressures are needed to make raptor populations more resilient in the face of climate change.
Intense discussions during the week resolved the species and geographical areas to be included in the framework, and the range of conservation and management measures to benefit the birds. Ospreys, golden eagles, saker falcons and snowy owls are amongst over seventy species that will benefit from the conservation actions set out in the new agreement.
Scottish Natural Heritage is the Scottish Government's statutory advisor in respect to the conservation, enhancement, enjoyment, understanding and sustainable use of the natural heritage.