Trust criticises deer management

The John Muir Trust based in Pitlochry is backing claims over shortcomings in deer management in the country.

Claims have been made by the environment, climate change and land reform committee say the current deer management strategy in place is failing to adequately protect important habitats.

At the moment, the plan is to cull deer to keep their numbers at a manageable level to protect the landscape from over-grazing.

However, despite an overall decline in the Scottish deer population, the committee found there was still too great an impact on the natural heritage from deer.

The Highland Perthshire trust, along with the Scottish Wildlife Trust and RSPB Scotland have welcomed the study and the recommendation from the committee to set up an independent group to provide advice and a plan to move forward on deer management.

The head of land management at the John Muir Trust Mike Daniels said:“Unsustainable deer management has been a running sore within Scotland’s environment for decades.

“Our woodlands and peatlands deserve better.

“We are pleased that this cross-party committee has grasped the nettle on this issue and is asking for strong action from land managers and government regulators alike.”

The committee, who criticised the Scottish Natural Heritage’s approach to deer management, found the legislation which aims to protect the natural environment from the impact of deer is not fit for purpose.

It said half of deer management groups in the country are not delivering an effective plan on the ground, and the Scottish Natural Heritage is failing to provide leadership to manage the damage caused by deer.

The head of policy at the Scottish Wildlife Trust, Dr Maggie Keegan, added:“Unsustainable numbers of deer in some areas are preventing regeneration of native woodland and causing damage to other important habitats.

“While some good progress has been made in recent years, half of Scotland’s deer management groups are still failing to outline how they will prevent damage to desingated sites including woodlands and peatlands.

“These habitats take years to recover and the longer we wait to act, the greater the cost of restoring them.

“This report represents one of the closest examinations of deer management in Scotland ever carried out.”