Deerversustrees

Duncan Orr-ewing’s article for the RSPB on growing deer populations posing an environmental threat (Scotsman, 19 January) must be challenged.

He writes: “Across our countryside deer numbers have exploded in recent decades.” They haven’t. In fact, the Deer Working Group report that he cites references research from the James Hutton Institute that established that upland red deer numbers have declined in the last 20 years (due to culling effort) and now average less than ten per sq km. He also totally overlooks the impacts of other herbivores in the deer range, where sheep alone outnumber deer two to one.

Where is evidence for his methane emissions data that is being used to influence politicians and the wider public? Havingputthesefigurestovarious Scottish academic institutions we have drawn a blank on there being any research on methane emissions and wild deer in the uplands.

He pays lip service to the importance of red deer in cultural, economic and environmental terms but it is quite clear he thinks they should be considered a pest species to be reduced in numbers by more than 50 per cent over much of their range regardless of the impact on employment, the rural economy and tourism.

Isthishowthepeopleofscotland wish their most iconic and largest wild mammal to be treated?

This article sets out to mislead. It takes no account of the ongoing contribution of the Deer Management Groups across the Highlands to the Government’s climate change programme, amounting, according to Naturescot, to 9,000ha of woodland expansion and 19,000ha of restored peatland up to 2018.

Why does it have to be a question of trees or deer? There is a balance to be struck where both can thrive, and where we can work together to address the unprecedented climate challenge.

RICHARD COOKE Chairman, Association of Deer Management Groups, Brechin,

Angus