Scottish Government must avoid pursuing DMNROs, says BASC

The British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC) has urged the Scottish Government to ‘avoid pursuing’ DMNROs in the proposed new Natural Environment Bill. The bill was included in the Programme for Government, set out by First Minister John Swinney last week.

The government has also now published its analysis of the responses to the consultation on ‘managing deer for climate and nature’.

Responding to the report, BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said:

“BASC robustly responded to the consultation, outlining our opposition to proposals for draconian Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders (DMNROs) and mandatory training.

“The report itself states there is a ‘lack of clarity over the proposals’ on DMNROs.

“BASC does not agree with the principle of, or the rationale behind DMNROs, and we believe that landowners could potentially have recourse to legal action as a result of the imposition of such a poorly thought-out system of site designations.

“However, it was encouraging that community deer management and incentivisation are noted by many of the respondents, a longstanding point which BASC has campaigned on.

“We will be urging the Scottish Government to avoid pursuing DMNROs. Any new bill must first and foremost reflect the hard work by BASC members, such as land managers and gamekeepers, who help protect and preserve Scotland’s iconic landscapes.”