New Natural Environment Bill places “unacceptable burden” on Scotland’s deer managers

The Scottish Government has published its Natural Environment Bill, introducing controversial measures that significantly impact deer managers across Scotland.

While the Government claims the Bill will modernise deer management to tackle the climate and nature emergency, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation (BASC), has branded the proposals “draconian”.

Key provisions in the Bill include new control powers for deer management and the introduction of baseline competence requirements, including mandatory training for all deer stalkers.

The former Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders (DMNROs) have been repackaged under new control powers, which impose significant challenges on deer managers.

BASC has strongly opposed the introduction of mandatory training, citing a lack of evidence for its introduction. The organisation argues that this requirement will act as a barrier to new entrants at a time when the Government is pushing for increased cull targets.

Several weeks ago, the Scottish Government abandoned its proposal to extend the female deer open season, a move welcomed by BASC on welfare grounds.

However, BASC has stated that the new Bill introduces sweeping regulatory changes without any financial support for those affected.

BASC Scotland director, Peter Clark said:

“BASC opposes the draconian measures in this Bill which place an unacceptable burden on Scotland’s deer managers.

‘We do not consider deer to be a national problem; rather we would have liked to see the Scottish Government look at issues with certain species in certain areas.

“The initial DMNROs have been rebadged and we still have significant concerns over the proposals to introduce new powers relating to deer control orders.

“The Bill also seeks to introduce mandatory training through a ‘baseline competence’ for deer management, the effect of which could be to effectively halve the number of active deer stalkers in Scotland overnight to less than 7,500.

“The Scottish Government cannot keep introducing more regulation on deer management without the necessary incentivisation for deer managers.

“BASC is reviewing the content of the Bill, and will continue to voice our members’ concerns over the Government’s damaging proposals”.