By David MillerBBC Scotland environment correspondent
Landowners have reacted angrily to claims the persecution of birds of prey on Scotland's grouse moors has returned to levels last seen in the Victorian era.
The allegation was made by Duncan Orr Ewing, one of the most senior figures at RSPB Scotland.
The landowners' organisation, Scottish Land and Estates, said the RSPB was increasingly resorting to "wild and misleading accusations".
Mr Orr Ewing has defended his claims.
Douglas McAdam, the chief executive of Scottish Land and Estates, told BBC Scotland News: "For Mr Orr Ewing to suggest that wildlife crime is returning to Victorian levels is both irresponsible and untrue. He ought to know better.
"Official statistics in recent years have seen, overall, a downward trend in raptor persecution - even at some points demonstrating record low levels of poisoning incidents.
"It is very disappointing that the RSPB, with whom we would like to work constructively, stoop to making such wild and misleading accusations."
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