{"id":1823,"date":"2025-11-18T16:28:03","date_gmt":"2025-11-18T16:28:03","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rewild.scot\/?p=1823"},"modified":"2026-05-04T11:32:37","modified_gmt":"2026-05-04T11:32:37","slug":"opinion-piece-natural-environment-bill-will-prove-a-test-of-nerve-for-scotlands-nature-shy-politicians","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rewild.scot\/gd\/news-and-blog\/rewilding-news\/opinion-piece-natural-environment-bill-will-prove-a-test-of-nerve-for-scotlands-nature-shy-politicians\/","title":{"rendered":"Opinion piece: Natural Environment Bill will prove a test of nerve for Scotland\u2019s nature-shy politicians"},"content":{"rendered":"

Tom Bowser asks if nature recovery legislation will be transformative – or another missed opportunity?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

I love Scotland, but sometimes my country saddens me. We are a nature-depleted nation within a nature-depleted island. Our seas are hard-fished, our land hard-farmed. The badger is our largest terrestrial predator; anything bigger we\u2019ve killed off and resolutely refuse to bring back. If you care about the environment, there is much to be disheartened by.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Shockingly, Scotland is ranked 212 out of 240 countries and territories for the state of its nature. Our beautiful landscapes and seascapes have been largely stripped of their richness of life through intensive management, over-exploitation, and neglect. Many of the country\u2019s precious habitats are in a pitiful state. Our wildlife is in decline, with one in nine species facing extinction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But at this very moment, a new bill is progressing through the Scottish Parliament which could do much for our beleaguered ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The question facing our elected representatives is, do they have the political will to ensure that the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill is transformative? Or will it prove another missed opportunity to do what we could, when we still could?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The long-awaited bill was introduced back in February. Although only a framework \u2013 a set of intentions that whoever we vote into power in the 2026 Holyrood elections will have to flesh out \u2013 its aims appear ambitious.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A legal framework for setting nature recovery targets \u2026 A chance to catch up with EU countries already outpacing us by embedding such targets into law \u2026 An opportunity to tackle Scotland\u2019s soaring deer numbers \u2026 All of this is within our grasp.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Next week, Holyrood\u2019s Stage 2 Committee will debate proposed amendments to the framework document, and their decisions may determine the extent of its future impact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of the proposals bring ecologically informed approaches into the bill \u2013 asking us to measure progress not simply on how many trees we plant, but the strength and connectivity of our ecosystems.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Showing the impatience that many feel with the Scottish Government\u2019s constant, infuriating delays on protecting our seas, multiple amendments seek to tighten up requirements on marine planning and restoration.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Further welcome suggestions aim to close loopholes in the recent Wildlife Management and Muirburn Act, in the hope of finally stamping out rural Scotland\u2019s dirty, open secret: the routine killing of protected birds of prey that takes place every year on driven grouse moors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If these amendments make the final wording, the Natural Environment Bill will be significantly improved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But the question remains: will it prove a transformative act that delivers real change for nature or instead remain a grand set of unacted-upon intentions? The answer to that lies with Scotland\u2019s politicians.<\/p>\n\n\n\n