Chamber and committees

The Scottish Government response to the Deer Working Group’s report has today been published on the Scottish Government website and can be found on the Deer Working Group page.

Effective and sustainable deer management is fundamental to our efforts in tackling climate change and biodiversity loss. Our Climate Change Plan sets out ambitious woodland creation targets, aiming to increase woodland cover to 21% of the total area of Scotland by 2032. However, the creation of new woodlands also creates new and ideal habitat for deer, demanding greater urgency to management action to prevent deer damage to newly planted and regenerating woodlands.

High densities of deer can also have a serious impact on the environment through overgrazing and trampling of vulnerable habitats. This is of particular concern regarding the protection and restoration of peatland, so that peatland restoration can play its vital role in absorbing and locking-up carbon. Scotland’s National Peatland Plan outlines the important role of sustainable deer management in protecting and restoring peatlands.

The impacts of deer on our climate change targets and on biodiversity are the main drivers of our policy on deer management, alongside having due regard for the socio-economic value of deer as a resource and a much-loved and iconic species, forming part of the Scottish rural environment, character and landscape. Furthermore, consideration has also been given to the potential welfare implications where deer densities are particularly high and we will continue to take account of how sustainable deer management can benefit the welfare of wild deer.

NatureScot, working with partners in the land management sector, have made notable progress in improving deer management in recent years, and this has been set out in the report published by NatureScot in 2019. However, as the scale of the climate change and biodiversity crises, and the measures needed to tackle them, have come clearly into focus, it has also become apparent that a significant stepping-up of deer management efforts are required. It is with this in mind that we have considered our response to the recommendations of the Deer Working Group.

The Group’s ninety-nine recommendations cover a broad range of areas, including improvements to, and modernisation of, the legislation, as well as to the current operating practices of all those involved in deer management. As well as making deer management more effective, there is also a strong focus on deer welfare.

The Scottish Government supports most of the recommendations. Many of the recommendations are detailed prescriptions in complex areas and further consideration and examination of their legal effect, and inter-action with other legal provisions, will be required. There will also need to be further consideration and consultation with stakeholders over matters concerning the practical implementation of some of the recommendations.