July 29th, 2020 by Anne FunnemarkIn June, the Animals and Wildlife (Penalties, Protections and Powers) (Scotland) Bill was passed by the Scottish Parliament. Environment LINK welcomed the Bill and the amendments which ranged from increasing penalties for serious animal and wildlife crimes to offering new and increased protections to animals and wildlife in Scotland.
One key amendment which passed within this Bill was protected species status for mountain hares in Scotland. Until recently mountain hares were only protected by a closed season which runs from 1st March to 31st July. Beyond this, mountain hares currently can be culled to manage control on grouse moors where they are often present. The practice of mountain hare culling has significantly reduced their numbers2, to the extent there have been calls to ban mountain hare culls in recent years.
Mountain hares are a Priority Species under the Biodiversity Action Plan where, despite having cultural and ecological significance, due to significant declines in their populations, their conservation status is currently considered “unfavourable” in Scotland. Under the EU Habitats Directive, the Scottish Government also have a duty to monitor, report and maintain their population in good health. The Animal and Wildlife Bill now provides further and much welcomed protections where through extension of protected species status they are now protected from unlicensed culling.
The Bill is yet to be ratified into an Act, with the mountain hare culling season starting on the 1st of August. Several MSP Species Champions across the political spectrum introduced several amendments to the strengthen the Bill.
Liz Ferrell, Convenor of Scottish Environment LINK’s Wildlife Crime Group, said:
“We welcome the arrival of this new bill passed by the Scottish Parliament as it is an important step in tackling wildlife crime in Scotland. The elevation of mountain hares to Protected Species status in Scotland was necessary to safeguard their dwindling populations but there is legitimate concern that pre-emptive killing of this species could take place during this year before their new protections come into force. The Wildlife Crime Group members therefore urge the use of existing powers held by the Police to extend the closed season for mountain hare culling to prevent any unjustified killing.”
Contact details
Liz Ferrell, Convenor of the LINK Wildlife Crime Group,
Phone- 01786 822107 Email- eferrell@bats.org.uk
Editors’ Notes
(1) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society www.scotlink.org
(2) Watson, A. and Wilson, J.D (2018) Seven decades of mountain hare counts show severe declines where high‐yield recreational game bird hunting is practised, Journal of Applied Ecology, British Ecological Society.
New EU Continuity Bill a welcome step forward, say charities.
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of Scotland’s leading charities has today welcomed the Scottish government’s announcement of a new EU Continuity Bill to safeguard vital environmental protections that would otherwise be lost in December this year, at the end of the Brexit transition period.
The coalition has also warned that the draft law must be significantly strengthened in a number of areas in order to ensure Scotland’s natural environment doesn’t lose out from weakened protection once we leave the EU.
Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK, said:
“We welcome the arrival of this crucial piece of legislation to secure key environmental protections in Scotland post-Brexit. This is an important step to keep Scotland’s high environmental standards in place for the years ahead, however, we know that with a Bill of this complexity the devil will be in the detail.
“We will be examining the Scottish government’s proposals in detail to ensure the new watchdog is fully independent and well-resourced, backed up by strong environmental principles. Whilst we support the direction of travel in the Bill, a first glance shows that some work will be needed to ensure the Principles and Governance requirements meet the standards needed to safeguard Scotland’s amazing nature long into the future.”
Find out more about the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign
A Scottish Environment LINK survey published today shows the public want a less wasteful economy with lighter demands on the planet (1,2). These findings come at a critical time, with Governments now considering how best to stimulate the economy as part of the recovery from coronavirus (3).
The survey showed that respondents would support moves by the Scottish Government that reduce our use of valuable raw materials. People also expressed frustration with the way that products are made and how it is often impracticable to get things repaired.
There was widespread support for businesses to become more responsible for the environmental impact of their products, with clear support for supermarkets to report on their own waste levels and waste in their supply chains.
The survey of 1,027 people in Scotland, conducted by Survation, found
• 87% agreed with the statement that ‘In Scotland we should use raw materials more wisely and waste less’.
• 78% agreed with the statement that ‘The Government should introduce a target and a plan on how to reduce the amount of raw materials used’.
• 91% agreed with the statement ‘When possible, products should be made so that they are easy to repair and their components can be re-used’
• 90% agreed with the statement that ‘Producers and retailers have a responsibility for the environmental impact of their products’
• 83% agreed that Supermarkets should report publicly on their waste and 77% agreed that they should also report on the waste from their supply chains.
• 74% of respondents agreed that ‘The Government should, wherever possible, only allow materials that are practicably and safely recycled to be sold in Scotland.’
The Covid-19 crisis has shed light on the vulnerability of our wasteful and unsustainable economy, often characterised by long and ‘just-in-time’ supply chains. Prior to the recent abrupt downturn in economic activity, our economy was eating its way through the world’s natural resources at a rate that was both environmentally unsustainable (4) and undesirable from an economic resilience point of view. Environmental experts say we need to re-programme our economy to extract less from the planet, reuse what we’ve already taken and reduce our waste.
Phoebe Cochrane, Circular Economy Lead for Scottish Environment LINK said:
“The Scottish government must ensure we put the circular economy at the heart of our post COVID-19 recovery measures rather than supporting practices that lock us into a linear, polluting and unsustainable economy.
“The results from this survey, clearly show that the Scottish public is keen to see the government and businesses step up to the mark and implement practices that minimise waste and are good for us and the long-term health of our planet.”
“The coronavirus crisis has brought into sharp focus, for us all, the importance of our natural environment and how much we depend on it for our wellbeing. A move towards a circular economy is pivotal in meeting our climate change obligations and ensuring a resilient economy for the greater good.”
ENDS
CONTACT DETAILS:
Phoebe Cochrane, 07906 780760, phoebe@scotlink.org
EDITORS NOTES
(1) Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society scotlink.org
(2) Conducted by Survation on behalf of Scottish Environment LINK. Fieldwork conducted: 29th April – 4th May 2020 Population sampled: All residents aged 16+ living in Scotland Sample size: 1,027 respondents https://www.scotlink.org/publication/survey-report-public-attitudes-on-circular-economy-may-2020/
(3) Scottish Government has committed to a green recovery – their agenda is to build a wellbeing economy and to ensure a green recovery. https://www.gov.scot/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-update-economy-secretarys-statement-economic-impact-covid-19-tuesday-21-april-2020/
(4) The 2019 Global Resource Outlook shows that extracting and processing raw materials is responsible for half the world’s carbon emissions and 80% of biodiversity loss; and the consumption of natural resources, which has tripled since the 1970’s, is set to further double by 2060. http://globalbusinesscoalition.org/global-governance-news/unep-irp-global-resources-outlook-2019-natural-resources-for-the-future-we-want/
We are consuming far more than our fair share of natural resources and if everyone lived like us, we would need about 3 Earths to sustain ourselves, according to ecological footprint data http://data.footprintnetwork.org/?_ga=2.189791149.761092198.1580906071-1075653858.1573138714#/
Leading Scottish environmental charities have today jointly published five tests for politicians to meet when implementing a ‘green recovery’ from COVID-19.
Scottish Environment LINK has challenged decision-makers to meet its tests, which it says will ensure that Scotland can move towards a new sustainable and socially-just era.
LINK, the network of 39 of Scotland’s leading environmental organisations – will be using the following criteria to assess the recovery policies and recommendations from the Scottish Government, and UK Government for reserved matters:
1. Every individual policy/action adopted must be based on sound evidence, must not increase carbon emissions, must not damage nature and must not harm social wellbeing.
At the same time, the package of policies that we expect to see emerge from the recommendations to government must, together, meet these additional four tests, while each individual policy/action must contribute to at least one:
2. Reduce pollution;
3. Improve adaptation to climate change and meet net zero by 2045;
4. Secure sustainable consumption of natural resources
5. Improve biodiversity and ecosystem services
Deborah Long, Chief Officer at LINK said “We are living in times of multiple emergencies. As we emerge from Covid-19, there are growing calls from society and scientists that the recovery must be sustainable and fair. We must build a better society for all, in a healthy environment capable of sustaining communities and individuals and livelihoods.
International peer-reviewed studies suggest we’ve only ten years left to address the climate emergency (IPCC 2018) and the nature crisis (IPBES 2019 and State of Nature 2019).
“We owe it to future generations to make sure that our economic reset is the time when we started living as if we had a single planet, and not three (SEPA).”
This year had been billed as the big year for the environment, but sadly two international environmental conferences, including the Conference of the Parties on climate in Glasgow, have understandably been postponed to 2021.
LINK wants to emphasise that that the nature and climate crises have not gone away. We have just ten years to 2030 to halt biodiversity loss, restore nature and rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
LINK welcomed the Scottish Government’s recent steps to scope and map out the route towards the ‘new normal’ as the world recovers from Covid-19, including establishing two new Advisory Groups in recent weeks to advise on a sustainable and fair recovery: the Advisory Group on Economic Recovery, reporting to the Cabinet Secretary for Economy and Finance, and the Sustainable Renewable Advisory Group, chaired by the Cabinet Secretary for the Environment, Climate Change and Land Reform.
Vhairi Tollan, LINK’s Advocacy Manager said:
“With so many Government and non-government groups looking at what a sustainable and fair recovery might look like, there is a danger of overlap and repetition with contrasting and possibly conflicting recommendations. Reassurance that the Scottish Cabinet will be able to prioritise action to achieve the outcomes Scotland needs to see will be crucial if we are to make a successful transition to a sustainable and fair future. LINK’s 5 tests offer a mechanism to do just that.”
Notes:
- Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with over 35 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society scotlink.org
- LINK’s 5 tests for a green recovery are available here.
- References in text:
Contact details:
Vhairi Tollan, Advocacy Manager, 07512 828004.
A coalition of environmental organisations have welcomed today’s advice from the UK Committee on Climate Change (CCC) on how Scotland can build a resilient, green economy in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Members of Scottish Environment LINK also urge the Scottish Government to seek complementary advice from independent biodiversity experts as it is imperative that action taken for a green recovery tackles both the climate emergency and nature crisis.
As the Scottish Government’s statutory advisers on the policies required to achieve net-zero climate targets, the CCC has urged that Scotland must take steps to increase resilience in the face of future threats by making ‘evidence-led preparations’ and avoid steps that would ‘lock-in’ high levels greenhouse has emissions for future generations. LINK members strongly support the CCC’s recommendations that specific policies to deliver ‘transformational land reform’ through tree planting, peatland restoration and creation of new urban greenspaces are stepped up rapidly as part of the economic recovery following the pandemic.
On those specific steps, LINK members believe while tree planting is important, woodland regeneration is even more so and more likely to deliver for the nature crisis as well as the climate emergency. Enabling tree regeneration across Scotland would restore habitats, including for example in the uplands and along riverbanks with riverine woodland. Planting the wrong tree in the wrong place, while meeting climate targets runs the risk of taking us backwards through inappropriate planting in key habitats.
Secondly, the increased investment the Scottish Government has already pledged for peatland restoration must be able to be used as flexibly as possible in order to enable that investment to be effective.
And thirdly, the pandemic has clearly shown to us all how important urban greenspaces are to people across Scotland. LINK members fully support the creation of more greenspaces and enhancement of existing brownfield sites with high biodiversity levels where nature and people can thrive across Scotland’s urban areas.
Deborah Long, Chief Officer of Scottish Environment LINK, said: “We welcome today’s timely advice and the proactive steps being taken by the Scottish Government to seek the best measures required for a green recovery. Tree planting in appropriate places and woodland regeneration, peatland restoration and increasing accessible greenspace in our urban areas are essential to meeting our climate targets while delivering a range of co-benefits to boost people’s wellbeing and restoring nature.
“In recent weeks we have become acutely aware that the nature on our very doorsteps has an invaluable role to play in sustaining us through this crisis – from garden birdwatching to growing local, sustainable food. In addition to meeting net-zero goals, a resilient, green recovery for Scotland must also embed action to recover biodiversity and tackle the nature crisis as acknowledged by the First Minister last year. Scottish Environment LINK urges Ministers to seek complementary advice from independent biodiversity experts to ensure that plans for a green recovery will include measures to aid nature’s recovery while meeting net-zero targets.”
– ENDS –
NOTES FOR EDITORS:
- Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment community, with 39 member bodies representing a broad spectrum of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
- The UK Committee on Climate Change’s advice to the Scottish Government can be found here.
- In May 2019, following an announcement at First Minister’s Questions, the Scottish Government confirmed in a letter to Scottish Environment LINK that the biodiversity crisis is a key priority for the Scottish Government.
Scottish Environment LINK welcome the recommendations set out in the Salmon Interactions Working Group’s report and commend the group’s members on unanimously agreeing on the proposed actions. It is LINK’s hope that Scottish Ministers follow the advice in the report by adopting all recommendations and moving swiftly to implement them.
Dawn Purchase, Vice-Convener of LINK’s Aquaculture Group, said:
“Populations of Atlantic salmon in Scotland are at a historic low and are in great need of meaningful conservation action if these populations are to recover. Scottish Environment LINK members recognise that salmon aquaculture represents one of many pressures on wild salmon and sea trout populations, but believes the recommendations put forward by the Working Group, if adopted, will be a welcome step forward in protecting these wild fish.
“The report’s recommendations are wide-ranging but it is important that all are taken forward as a package to have the greatest impact on wild salmonid populations. Along with taking the report’s recommendations forward, we would like to see the Scottish Government publish a delivery plan for the agreed actions.”
NOTES:
- The Salmon Interactions Working Group report can be found here.
- A member of Scottish Environment LINK’s Aquaculture Group was a member of the Working Group.
- As part of the inquiry, LINK submitted responses to the Scottish Parliament’s ECCLR and REC Committees, available here and here.
On Tuesday evening, we were delighted to win in our category the 2020 Charity Film Awards.
Scottish Environment LINK, a coalition of more than 35 Scottish conservation and environmental groups and charities worked with Maramedia to create the stunning film This is Scotland to highlight a worrying statistic that was first revealed in the 2017 report Where the Green Grants Went Scotland. This report highlighted a massive funding hole for the nation’s conservation efforts. This is despite Scotland being home to some of the UK’s most spectacular and critically endangered natural heritage. The report found that only 29% of grant giving foundations operating in the UK gave grants to environmental causes in Scotland.
The winning film, This is Scotland, highlights that just 5 per cent of available UK charitable grants go to protect Scotland’s nature. First launched in Edinburgh with some of Scotland’s most influential funders, winning the 2020 Charity Film Awards takes the message much further.
The Charity Film Awards celebrates the effective use of video by the third sector to change mindsets, raise awareness for the charity or fundraise.
65,000 people took part in the public voting stage to determine the shortlist. The Charity Film Awards panel of expert judges, which includes high profile names from entertainment, business, politics and media. The winners of the Charity Film Awards 2020 were announced in a virtual gala ceremony on Tuesday 21 April.
Celebrity Ambassadors for Charity Film Awards include; Mariella Frostrup, Quentin Willson, Jason Bell and Chris Warburton.
Dr Deborah Long, LINK’s Chief Officer, said: “We wanted to use our film to show everyone just how amazing Scotland’s environment and nature is. Now more than ever we know that nature makes us feel better – we are so pleased our film is reaching and inspiring people. What the film makes clear though is that we stand to lose so much if we fail to invest in its conservation and restoration. Without support and investment, our environment and the nature that lives there cannot continue to provide the wellbeing and livelihoods we depend on. This was really urgent before the Covid-19 pandemic and is just as urgent now. Reports at home and internally reflect ongoing decline in biodiversity, here and across the world, and the closing window we have to halt the loss and restore our landscapes and, habitats and species. This film reminds us all why Scotland is so special, why it’s a fantastic place to live and visit and what we stand to lose without coordinated and concerted effort. Thank you to everyone who voted for it and all those who supported it.”
Simon Burton, Co-Founder of the Charity Film Awards said: ‘In the digital age, charities’ use of video is fundamental to engage the hearts and minds of their communities. Scottish Environment LINK’s film is a great example of that in action.”
Watch our film here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2BBjBEBlc&t=3s
ENDS
Editors’ Note:
Scottish Environment LINK is the forum for Scotland’s voluntary environment organisations, with over 35 member bodies representing a range of environmental interests with the common goal of contributing to a more environmentally sustainable society.
This is Scotland was developed by a partnership of Scotland’s leading environmental organisations including National Trust for Scotland, RSPB, RZSS, Scottish Wildlife Trust, WWF Scotland and Woodland Trust Scotland, thanks to support from Scottish Environment Link, Turcan Connell and Maramedia.
This is Scotland can be viewed here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv2BBjBEBlc
The Where the Green Grants Went Scotland report is available here:
https://www.greenfunders.org/where-the-green-grants-went-scotland/
The Charity Film Awards celebrate the very best films and videos that have been created by registered charities and CIC’s within the UK. For more information visit www.charityfilmawards.com
A Scottish Government reporter has today dismissed a landowner’s appeal against an order forcing the removal of a controversial vehicle track in scenic Glen Clova, Cairngorms NP.
The decision ends a long-running battle over the 1.5km track, which is visible for miles around and features spoil mounds up to 10 metres wide.
The landowner had launched an appeal in December 2019 against Cairngorms National Park Authority’s enforcement notice ordering him to remove the vehicle track, as it appears to be used to support field sports.
But today Allison Coard, a reporter appointed by Scottish Ministers, has dismissed the appeal and ordered the land to be restored “so far as is reasonably practicable” within one year.
Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks Group, which continues to campaign for stronger public oversight of upland vehicle tracks, commended the reporter and the national park authority for their decisive action.
Helen Todd, who is Ramblers Scotland’s policy manager and co-convener of the LINK Hilltracks group, said: “This is a landmark result, and sadly one of very few examples of an authority feeling able to commit enough time and money to retrospectively tackle unauthorised tracks.
“This ugly track is scarring the landscape in this historic, protected glen – and we look forward to seeing the hillside restored within the coming year.
“All Scottish landowners should take note of today’s decision, and the expensive restoration job that the landowner will now need to carry out.”
Beryl Leatherland, of Scottish Wild Land Group and co-convener of the LINK Hilltracks group said: “The case highlights the urgent need for the Scottish Government to introduce stronger controls over vehicle tracks in our hills – to boost local democracy, improve construction standards and protect precious environments from further damage.”
The Scottish Government has made hilltracks one of the top priorities in its forthcoming review of ‘Permitted Development Rights’, which governs which types of developments can bypass the full planning permission process.
Currently, landowners simply need to tell authorities before building tracks which are said to support ‘agriculture or forestry’ – and full planning permission is generally not required. Campaigners believe these tracks are often created to support shooting activities and therefore should be subject to a planning application.
Research published in 2018 by the Scottish Environment LINK Hilltracks group found that vehicle tracks continue to expand further into Scotland’s mountain landscapes, and that weak planning processes can lead to them being badly-sited and designed. Some tracks have even been built over the top of narrow, low-impact trails and historical routes, with little chance for the public to comment in advance.
You can view the full appeal decision and history here.
Contact details
For further details, or to request an interview with Helen Todd or Beryl Leatherland, please call the Ramblers Scotland press office on 0131 357 5854 or 07557 527607 (out of hours). Alternatively, please email scotland@ramblers.org.uk
New environment watchdog must have teeth, say charities
Scotland’s leading environment charities have welcomed the Scottish Government’s announcement today of a vision and outcomes for an environment strategy, applauding the government’s commitment to restore nature and end Scotland’s contribution to climate change.
They have called on the government to back up this commitment with legally binding targets for nature recovery and an action plan for delivery.
The charities, members of Scottish Environment LINK, also welcomed the announcement of a new environment watchdog to oversee compliance with environmental law, but cautioned that the new body must have real independence and power to protect Scotland’s iconic nature.
More than 30 organisations launched the Fight for Scotland’s Nature campaign in 2018, calling for an independent watchdog to enforce environmental protections after Brexit. The European Commission and Court of Justice previously played a key role in holding government to account on the environment, on issues ranging from air pollution to protections for marine animals.
The charities also welcomed the reiteration of the government’s commitment to embed crucial European environment principles in Scots law – another key demand of their campaign.
The charities believe the new watchdog must be independent of government and must have sufficient resources as well as the ability to investigate complaints from the public, charities and businesses, and to impose sanctions when standards are breached. Public support is strong – a recent opinion poll in Scotland found 81 percent of Leave voters and 91 percent of Remain voters supported a new body to provide continuing environmental oversight.
Charles Dundas, Chair of Scottish Environment LINK, said today:
“It’s fantastic to see such a bold vision for the protection of Scotland’s environment, which, as the Scottish Government says, is fundamental to our future. Now we need to see the strategy backed up with clear, binding targets for the recovery of our amazing nature.
“It’s also great news that the government plans to set up a new environment watchdog. We look forward to seeing the full details, and trust MSPs will scrutinise these closely. It’s essential that citizens are able to hold government to account. We need a watchdog with teeth: real independence, the power to enforce protections, and the people, expertise and funds to do the job.”
Scottish Environment LINK – a coalition of organisations involved in land and deer management, forestry, wildlife conservation, cultural heritage, community land partnerships, nature education and outdoor recreation – has welcomed the findings in the report published today by the independent Deer Working Group (DWG).
The independent expert body that was appointed by Scottish Ministers in 2017 has set out nearly a hundred recommendations in its 374-page report which if implemented in full, would go a long way to improving the ecological state of Scotland’s uplands by changing the culture of deer management in Scotland.
Mike Daniels Head of Land Management at the John Muir Trust said: “First we want to praise the authors of this report including the late Simon Pepper who chaired the Deer Working Group until his tragic death in 2018 – for their thoroughness and professionalism. We welcome the courage and clarity of the report which confirms that Scotland’s existing deer management procedures and practices need major reform.
“If we were designing a new system of deer management today in the context of climate change, biodiversity loss and the depopulation of fragile rural areas it would bear little resemblance to the ‘traditional sporting estate’ model found in large parts of the Highlands.”
Duncan Orr-Ewing, Chair of LINK Deer Task Force said “We welcome the publication today of this independent review of deer management in Scotland. We note and support proposals to update deer legislation to ensure modern and transparent systems of deer management, and proposed improvements to SNH powers to enable changes in practice on the ground.”
“The imperative for transforming of deer management laws and systems has been given increased impetus following the climate and nature emergencies announced recently by Scotland’s First Minister, and in the context that excessive deer densities in many areas are preventing significant public policy outcomes from being achieved. These outcomes include woodland expansion; peatland protection and restoration as vital carbon stores; enhancing the condition of protected nature conservation sites; and reducing vehicle collisions and the spread of Lyme disease”.
Charles Dundas, Chair of Scottish Environment LINK and Public Affairs Manager at Woodland Trust Scotland, said: “This report is a major step forward. We note especially the proposal to revise the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 which could open the door to transformative change and we would urge the Scottish Government to start working immediately to prepare for new legislation that could be introduced early in the next parliament.”
Some of the key recommendations in the report include:
• An upper density limit of 10 red deer per square km over large areas of open range in the Highlands – with that figure to be reviewed from time to time to help meet public policy objectives including on climate change.
• That, following its series of assessments of Deer Management Groups between 2014 and 2019, SNH should now concentrate on ensuring high standards of deer management on the ground to minimise damage to the public interest.
• That SNH should adopt a more flexible approach to how deer are managed locally rather than rely too heavily on existing formal deer management groups (which tend to be dominated by the landowners whose prime objectives are sports shooting).
• That, instead of prioritising numerical deer counts on the open hill range, SNH should focus on building information about the impacts of deer on woodlands, forestry, agriculture, natural heritage and other public interests.
• That SNH should treat as a high priority the challenge of changing deer management in line with climate change mitigation objectives.
• That the Scottish Government should develop a ‘cull approval system’ – in other words stronger national regulation of deer numbers – and revise the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 to allow such a system to be introduced.
Scottish Environment LINK along with several other organisations including the community landowning North Harris Trust, the Forest Policy Group and Nourish Scotland recently published its own proposals to bring deer management into the 2020s in the publication Managing Deer for Climate, Communities and Conservation.
The Deer Working Group report can be found here
For press enquiries, contact: Alan McCombes
m: 0771 744 2805
e: alan.mccombes@johnmuirtrust.org
