Mixed results for shooting sector in deer Bill

Mandatory deer stalking training introduced

The Scottish Parliament has passed the Natural Environment Bill by 90 votes to 26, introducing compulsory training for deer stalkers despite shooting representatives arguing the Government has provided no evidence to justify the measure.

Rural affairs minister Jim Fairlie MSP has promised to consult the deer sector before the training comes into force, but crucial details including timescales, costs and whether experienced stalkers will be exempt remain unclear.

BASC Scotland director Peter Clark said: “The decision to impose mandatory training on deer managers and stalkers in Scotland is yet another example of where a policy decision has been taken in the absence of any evidence to support it.”

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New powers for NatureScot

More contentious still are the new powers the Bill hands to NatureScot. The agency will now be able to intervene in deer management for ‘nature restoration’ rather than just preventing damage – a significant departure from existing legislation that the Scottish Gamekeepers Association warned will inevitably lead to court battles.

Under the new system, NatureScot must first attempt to reach voluntary agreements with landowners, but can escalate to legally-binding control orders if it believes deer numbers are hampering habitat recovery. Landowners who refuse to comply face fines of up to £40,000 or three months in prison.

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Concessions for the shooting sector

The shooting sector did, however, secure important concessions during the Bill’s passage through Holyrood. The Government softened wording in the legislation so NatureScot “may” use its intervention powers rather than saying it “will”, removing what land managers saw as a presumption in favour of state interference.

A new venison plan aims to promote the meat and provide financial incentives for deer managers, whilst changes to grouse moor licensing should make the system more workable for applicants. Muirburn rules were also corrected so land managers no longer have to try alternative vegetation control methods before burning heather – a change backed by research from York University showing muirburn is more effective than alternatives for preventing wildfires.

In what may prove the sector’s biggest victory, proposals to restrict gamebird releases were dropped entirely following sustained lobbying. Mr Clark said there had been “a real risk that valuable land management activity would be undermined by proposals driven by greenwashing rather than evidence”.

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Industry response

Scottish Land & Estates also welcomed the improvements, with its manager of moorland and strategic projects Ross Ewing saying “there are grounds for optimism following late amendments to the Bill, and we appreciate the time taken by Government and parliamentarians to engage with us, listen to concerns and strengthen the workability of the legislation.” 

He warned, however, that “an overreliance on intervention and enforcement could undermine the voluntary partnerships that have delivered real progress on the ground”.

The Bill will become law once it receives Royal Assent in the coming months.