The RRF Conference will be held overseas for the first time between 29 September - 4 October 2009 in Scotland at the Atholl Palace Hotel, Pitlochry, in Highland Perthshire. There will be a full programme of scientific presentations, workshops and seminars. Social events will include a Scottish party in Blair Castle and fieldtrips will include visits to Mull. Delegate numbers are limited to 300 so early booking is advisable. For further details or to add your name to the mailing list for further announcements , please contact Ruth Tingay, local organising Committee Chair at with Scotland Conference 2009 as a subject header. There is also a web page at http://www.rrfconferencescotland2009.org/

It has been announced that the National Wildlife Crime Unit, formerly based in the NCIS Office in London, will be housed in premises at North Berwick which have been provided by Lothian and Borders Police. The unit gathers intelligence on national wildlife crime and provides investigative support to police and customs officers across the UK. The Unit will focus on nationally agreed priorities and has the active support of a number of organisations and agencies including ACPO, ACPOS, Defra, The Scottish Executive, HM Revenue & Customs and the Home Office. Many SRSG members will know Steve Downing who heads up the Unit. The unit has a website www.nwcu.police.uk