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Native deer (red deer + roe deer) - update

The following are brief summaries of some of the action that we and our partners have done since the Species Action Framework was launched. They're in chronological order, with the most recent updates at the top of the page.

7 December 2009

Joint Agency Working on deer impacts on designated sites - Early Species Action Framework money from Scottish Natural Heritage supported the assessment of deer impacts in the Breadalbane area, which includes four large upland sites that are either Sites of Special Interest or Special Areas of Conservation. This information has been crucial in helping agency staff to work with owners and mangers to explore where the balance of sheep and deer management may need to be altered to ensure local approaches are co-ordinated and deliver favourable condition of the special features on these sites. These sites are just a number of the now hundred plus designated sites where the Agencies are working with owners to promote herbivore management that is compatible with national targets relating to favourable habitat condition.

September 2009

Scottish Government consultation on wildlife legislation - Between September and October 2009 the Scottish Government ran a public consultation on legislative proposals that could be implemented through a Wildlife and Natural Environment Bill. The consultation contained proposals relating to the management of wild deer; specifically seeking views on:

  • A duty to manage deer in the public interest.
  • Voluntary and statutory deer management structures.
  • The skills and competence of those involved in shooting deer.
  • Close seasons.
  • Authorisations in relation to night shooting, driving deer with vehicles and owner-occupier exemptions.
  • The collection of data about deer management.

The consultation responses will inform Scottish Government's views on what legislative changes may help support sustainable management of the native deer resource.

April 2009

Scotland's Wild Deer: A National Approach (wDNA). First Action Plan 2009-2011 - The objectives and actions within the wDNA will be delivered through a series of Implementation Plans. The first action plan covers the period from 2009 to 2011 and subsequent Implementation Plans will co-ordinate activity over three year periods. The first plan has seven themes as follows:

  • Effective mechanisms for delivering sustainable deer management.
  • Wild deer welfare.
  • Sustainable economic development.
  • Environmental quality and biodiversity.
  • Climate change and research.
  • Social well-being.
  • Raising awareness.

A range of partners are contributing to delivery and a share point site has been set up to facilitate reporting by all partners of progress towards the plan.

November 2008

Scotland's Wild Deer: A National Approach  (wDNA) published - Scotland's wDNA sets out ways to make the most of the wild deer asset, managing deer for the benefit of the nation, and at the same time ensuring that deer welfare is safeguarded. It aims to achieve this through managing deer in a way that secures a high quality, robust & adaptable environment, sustainable economic development and social well-being.

The aims of the wDNA therefore encompass those of the Species Action Framework for native deer as a species for sustainable use. The wDNA relates to all species of deer found living wild in Scotland, i.e. there are also objectives and actions relating to sika and fallow deer. However, the wDNA sets the framework and objectives relating to native red and roe deer in this slightly wider context.