Controversial nature bill “must be fixed”

BASC has urged the government to engage with deer managers following the recent introduction of the Natural Environment Bill to the Scottish parliament.

The bill proposes substantial changes to deer management and increased regulatory intervention but with little detail on financial incentives for deer managers. The bill also covers adjustments to how national parks are run, legally binding nature restoration targets, and changes to habitat regulations.

Deer Management Nature Restoration Orders (DMNROs), which would have subjected deer managers to strict state intervention have been verbally dropped from the bill but, it appears that similar powers have resurfaced as amendments elsewhere. 

The rural sector remains deeply concerned that these powers have been repackaged rather than removed, and that the bill still includes a mechanism for state intervention if deer are perceived as a barrier to nature restoration.

Peter Clark, BASC Scotland director says: “The Scottish Government must be transparent about when and why intervention would take place. ‘Nature restoration’ must be clearly defined and consulted upon. Any government intervention in private deer management must be based on measurable criteria.

“Additionally, there is a major gap in the Bill – the government has not outlined how it will differentiate between damage caused by deer versus other herbivores across Scotland’s landscapes. Without this clarity, regulatory actions risk being arbitrary and unfair.”

Beyond additional regulation, the Bill proposes introducing mandatory training for all deer stalkers in Scotland similar to the laws for hunters currently in place in Germany. This measure would increase bureaucracy, deterring newcomers, and reducing the number of active deer stalkers. This could further deplete the workforce needed for increased cull targets.

Seven time UK Pro Stalker of the Year, Chris Dalton, told ST: ” This bill outlines major changes to our sector, with little consultation, again, and it is devoid of details. I am particularly concerned about the lack of reference to Lowlands deer management and the proposal to introduce compulsory training for all stalkers in Scotland, again, without detail.

“We have a devolved government demanding a large reduction in the overall deer population in Scotland, but hampering our ability to deliver it by introducing legislation which will reduce the number of stalkers available. Is it just me or does there also seem to be a re-introduction of DMNRO’s through the back door?”