NFU Scotland has welcomed positive action by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) following the first working group meeting to look at agricultural crime prosecution policy.

The working group has been set up following positive work by NFU Scotland through evidence given to the Justice Committee on rural crime and latterly a meeting with Solicitor General for Scotland Lesley Thomson QC. Following the meeting with NFU Scotland President Allan Bowie and Legal and Technical Policy Manager Gemma Thomson, COPFS announced it would set up a dedicated working group to look at how this type of crime was dealt with at a prosecution level.

The meeting, held last Friday 29 May, was hosted by COPFS with NFU Scotland attending alongside Scottish Land and Estates, Police Scotland and the Scottish Government.

The organisations agreed action points to take forward with the next meeting due to take place in August.

NFU Scotland’s Legal and Technical Policy Manager Gemma Thomson commented: “This initial meeting of the working group was extremely constructive and we welcome this positive action to review prosecution policy for agricultural crime.

“NFUS is currently investing a large amount of time in assisting its members who are affected by rural crime issues.  This work includes working with Police Scotland at a local and national level, and this new working group with COPFS is welcome as it comes at a time when we are starting to see a real appreciation of the full effects of rural crime.”

A Crown Office spokesman added: “COPFS were delighted to host the initial meeting of the working group and welcomed the positive contributions made by NFU Scotland, Scottish Land and Estates, Scottish Government and Police Scotland.

“The group will continue to work closely on the review in order to ensure that COPFS prosecution policy takes account of the full impact of agricultural crime on rural communities and that this information is conveyed to the court for consideration in the event of a conviction.”

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Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108