NatureScot today announced the launch of new deer management incentive pilot schemes. Responding to this, Duncan-Orr Ewing, the Convener of LINK’s Deer Group said:
“We welcome the announcement of deer management incentives by NatureScot. In the absence of natural predators, deer populations need to be managed to prevent damage to habitats and species, and also for public health and safety reasons.
Sustainable deer management is critical to deliver native woodland expansion, peatland protection, and is consequently a critical theme for the Scottish Biodiversity Strategy.
We have the highest deer populations on record of over 1 million animals so clearly new and innovative thinking is required to reduce deer numbers. Ultimately, we would like to see a national deer management incentives scheme building on these pilot schemes and applying the learning, however the announcement today is a very good first step.
It is right that the hard work deer managers do in in the public interest, often in difficult terrain and antisocial hours, is recognised and paid for.”