‘Draconian’ bill could halve number of Scottish stalkers 

A new Natural Environment Bill published by the Scottish government will place an “unacceptable burden” on the country’s deer managers, BASC have warned. 

The bill will repackage deer management nature restoration orders (DMNRO) which, the government claims, will modernise deer management to tackle the climate change and nature emergency (News, 5 February). Provisions include new powers for deer management and the introduction of baseline competence requirements, including mandatory training for all stalkers. 

BASC says the proposal is “draconian” and has opposed the introduction of mandatory training, citing a lack of evidence and arguing that it will prevent new entrants at a time when cull targets are increasing. 

Peter Clark, BASC Scotland Director, said: “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 effect of mandatory training would effectively halve the number of active stalkers in Scotland to fewer than 7,500. Mr Clark added: “The Scottish government cannot keep introducing more regulation on deer management without the necessary incentivisation for deer managers.”