Current status: Answered by Jim Fairlie on 8 October 2024
To ask the Scottish Government, in light of the statutory duty on local authorities to implement deer management plans, and the reported increased importance of recording deer numbers to meet the target of an additional 50,000 culled deer annually, for what reason data is available for only five out of 32 local authorities, and whether it will provide funding to local authorities to ensure that accurate deer management plans can be produced to facilitate the recording of deer numbers.
NatureScot only receives cull return data from the five local authorities that manage deer on their land. The remaining local authorities do not undertake deer culls, and therefore do not provide cull returns.
Naturescot has funded local authorities approximately £37,000 over the last seven years to produce deer management plans and deer statements alongside providing expert advice and guidance. NatureScot will continue to work with local authorities to support their deer management efforts.