Sporran Police in Scotland

[Jimmy]

I am getting this info from today's newspaper, apparently the legislation is already been passed.It does say that anyone who has acquired any part of these animals in the last 13 years must apply for a licence to keep it.

I will have to check up further on this legislation as this is the first time I have come across it. I'll get back when I have futher info.

I know it sounds farcical but to people living in Europe we are getting use to absurd laws passed by the European Parliament.

[pipesndrumsnun]

Now, you all better just be careful here! I'm sure there are probably some fanatic members of the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to Naugas lurking around and reading these posts!
Though those Nauga hides are really the coolest thing, you really can't beat a bat sporran...top-notch fabulous! That rule is certainly going to put a damper on highland festival goers world wide...I mean, to think that we'll have to stop wearing our bat attire...how very sad. It makes me shudder just thinking of the whole dreadful situation!!

[Nervous Jock]

I am getting this info from today's newspaper, apparently the legislation is already been passed.It does say that anyone who has acquired any part of these animals in the last 13 years must apply for a licence to keep it.

I will have to check up further on this legislation as this is the first time I have come across it. I'll get back when I have futher info.

I know it sounds farcical but to people living in Europe we are getting use to absurd laws passed by the European Parliament.

Be wary if this is from a "red top"

[Nervous Jock]

seek and ye shall find



http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/scotland/6234290.stm

Kilt wearers could face prosecution if they do not have a licence for their sporran under new legislation which has been introduced in Scotland.

The laws are designed to protect endangered species like badgers and otters, whose fur used to be favoured by sporran makers.

The legislation applies to animals killed after 1994.

Applicants must prove that the animal was killed lawfully before they will be able to get a licence.

The conservation regulations were designed to close a number of loopholes and bring Scotland into line with other EU members.

They also apply to other vulnerable animals like deer, wildcats, hedgehogs, bats, lynx, moles, seals, whales, dolphins and porpoises.


Having a licence... will ensure they will not be prosecuted or have it taken from them under the new regulations
Scottish Executive spokeswoman

The regulations require anyone who owns any part of a protected animal to obtain a licence.

The maximum penalties for breaking the law are a fine of £5,000 and six months in prison.

Hamish Husband, spokesman for the Association of Tartan Army Clubs, said the legislation could affect fans who follow their national football team.

"Are the police going to take DNA samples from the sporran of every kilted supporter who walks into Hampden?" he asked.

"If that's the case we will need to look into obtaining a licence to cover the entire Tartan Army."

The new rules will also cover fishing flies made from animal hair.

A Scottish Executive spokeswoman said the new rules had been put in place to bring Scotland into line with existing European legislation designed to protect vulnerable species.

"The licence will allow people who possess artefacts made from these species in circumstances compliant with earlier laws to keep them," she said.

"This could be family heirlooms of various descriptions.

"Having a licence for such an artefact, proving it was obtained legally, will ensure they will not be prosecuted or have it taken from them under the new regulations."

[cavscout]

Dooh!

Just one more and then I'll stop


If they outlaw sporrans, then only outlaws will have sporrans!

[Kid Cossack]

Dooh!

Just one more and then I'll stop


If they outlaw sporrans, then only outlaws will have sporrans!

I've always liked this variant:

When they outlaw sporrans . . . then I'll be an outlaw.

[auld argonian]

...and flies too? The world has gone mad...and that's coming from a guy who's a conservationist albeit one who understands the concept of hunting and harvesting a certain percentage of some species.

Pre-existing sporrans should be "grandfathered" in, shouldn't they? I mean, it's not like an antique sporran of the type that Hamish describes is much of a threat to current wildlife...

Daughter and I were laughing while at the fabric store yesterday...the faux fur that they're stocking looked very real and the purse findings were on a rack righ next to them...they had that Victorian design snapping purse closure right there and we were holding it up to the faux fur and conjecturing as to how convincing a sporran we could knock out using the two components. I suppose we'd need a faux certificate for those though...

.....sheeesh!

Best

AA

[McClef]

How they expect everybody to have paperwork proving it was "killed lawfully" in the past 13 years I have no idea.

Nor how one goes about obtaining such a licence and whether or not visitors as opposed to residents need one.

Are the sporran police going to descend on every establishment in Scotland that makes or sells sporrans to check that all stock meets the legislation before it is sold?

And where do the animals have to have been lawfully killed? If they were lawfully killed in Canada for example would that count?

Retrospective legislation is simply stupid and unfair.

[Oatmeal Savage]

I wonder if you will be required to have a metal disc, with the license number stamped on it, attached to your critter?

I am getting this info from today's newspaper, apparently the legislation is already been passed.It does say that anyone who has acquired any part of these animals in the last 13 years must apply for a licence to keep it.

I will have to check up further on this legislation as this is the first time I have come across it. I'll get back when I have futher info.

I know it sounds farcical but to people living in Europe we are getting use to absurd laws passed by the European Parliament.