Responding to the Programme for Government, Scottish Environment LINK’s chief executive, Dr Deborah Long said:
“We welcome today’s news within the Programme for Government that the Scottish government will consider the development of local deer management projects pilots, a plan based on a proposal from LINK Deer Group members.
“Scotland’s oversized deer population is a direct threat to our environmental goals, preventing the recovery of our iconic native woodlands, and undermining Scotland’s climate action.
“Through overgrazing tree saplings, deer prevent the natural regeneration of ancient woodlands, which offer enormous hope for restoring biodiversity and creating healthy ecosystems. They also threaten our internationally important peatlands, which play a crucial role in storing carbon and act as natural flood defences, as well as being home to a diverse mosaic of species.
“Sustainable deer management, supported by funding measures and the incentivisation of venison as a sustainable and healthy food source will go a long way towards improving the outlook for our biodiversity and climate goals and we look forward to working with the Scottish government and partners on this.”
David Fleetwood, the John Muir Trust’s director of policy, said:
“We are delighted with this announcement. Our proposed National Deer Management Plan brings together environmental charities, private, public and community landowners alongside land workers so we can deliver a restored natural environment for the whole of Scotland.”
Alan McDonnell, head of nature restoration for Trees for Life, said:
“The importance of practical support for deer managers to restore nature at scale is recognised across the deer sector. This commitment from the Scottish Government is a much-welcomed step that helps explain how it will resource this policy in the long term.”
Top image: Calum McLennan