The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Bid to control deer numbers
Environment: SNH encouraged to use ‘full range of powers’ for management
Scottish Natural Heritage will be encouraged to use its “full range of powers” to get Scotland’s deer population under control, Scottish ministers have said.
Environment Secretary Roseanna Cunningham said the government was committed to improving the way wild deer are managed, monitored and culled to help protect the environment.
She confirmed the government would test current intervention powers before making further legislative changes.
A recent report by MSPs concluded SNH – the organisation charged with protecting Scotland’s natural environment – was “failing to provide leadership” in managing the damaging impact of deer and called for urgent changes.
The government said the deer sector and SNH would be urged to do more to improve deer management planning, with progress to be reviewed in 2019 to consider if a “fundamental change” is needed. Ministers will ensure SNH takes a tougher approach to dealing with landowners who do not co-operate, “using the full range of enforcement powers at its disposal”.
An independent group will also be set up to look at deer management issues, including a separate panel to look at lowland deer management.
Ms Cunningham said: “While some progress has been made in the management of our wild deer following recent changes to legislation and through the work of the Association of Deer Management Groups, we know further improvements are needed to minimise the costs of deer road vehicle collisions and replacing fencing, as well as reducing the environmental impact.
“By setting up an independent group on deer management, encouraging SNH to use their full range of powers, and improving deer management plans, we hope to address the main challenges and ensure we protect our environment and the interests of the public, as well as support the rural economy.”
Last year, the legislation was updated to give SNH powers to require landowners to produce deer management plans, submit returns detailing the numbers to be culled and increase the maximum penalty for failing to implement a deer control scheme to £40,000.
Scottish Gamekeepers Association chairman Alex Hogg said: “Rushing to new powers when existing ones had never been tested would have been problematic, especially when SNH were granted fresh powers last year under land reform legislation. Challenges remain in deer management and today’s announcement targets areas where more effort and different approaches are required, such as in lowland Scotland and in urban fringes where there is a growing roe deer population.”