I share concerns over the illegal persecution of raptors and I would encourage anyone with information about it to report what they know to the authorities. I believe that the Government's commitment to tackling wildlife crime was highlighted in February 2014, when £500,000 of funding was announced for the National Wildlife Crime Unit to help secure its future.
I have been very keen to ensure that the Petitions Select Committee, of which I am a member, holds inquiry sessions on the issue. The first of these was last week and you can find out more here: http://www.parliament.uk/business/committees/committees-a-z/commons-select/petitions-committee/inquiries/parliament-2015/grouse-shooting-16-17/
With regard to concerns about the impact of grouse shooting on moorland, in my view game management can make an important contribution to biodiversity by providing cover for wildlife, and through the creation and care of habitats such as woodland, grouse moors, beetle banks and hedgerows.
You may be interested to know that the vast majority of grouse moors that are sites of special scientific interest are now in favourable or recovering condition, whereas only around half were in that state in 2006. This reflects growing awareness among moorland managers of the importance and sensitivity of upland biodiversity.
The Government suggests that game management plays an important role in the rural economy, generating income and employment in some of our most remote communities. For example, shooting contributes in the region of £2 billion to the rural economy and supports the equivalent of around 70,000 full-time jobs.
I will be fully reviewing the evidence presented before the Petitions Select Committee in October and will be in support of having a wider discussion on the issue.