Rural sector vows to fight on after deer Bill amendments rejected

Amendments rejected at Stage 2

Lobbyists say they will keep pressing MSPs to fix “major flaws” in the Natural Environment (Scotland) Bill before it passes through Holyrood. Their pledge follows a parliamentary committee debate on 3 December where amendments tabled by Edward Mountain MSP to address concerns for deer managers were rejected.

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Concerns over ‘fit and competent’ test

As reported in our last issue, the Natural Environment Bill threatens to “halve” stalker numbers in Scotland by requiring anyone who is shooting deer to be entered on a register of authorised persons. NatureScot would be responsible for assessing whether a shooter is “fit and competent”, but critics refute the need for such a provision.

“There is no official study into the wounding rates or second shot data that would suggest that mandatory training is required,” Mr Mountain told the Rural Affairs Committee, before pointing out yet another flaw. “If an individual is not on the register, they cannot lawfully shoot deer and, therefore, they may no longer meet the good reason test for possessing a suitable firearm.”

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Warnings over secondary legislation

Agriculture minister Jim Fairlie said further consultation would follow on the provisions, but BASC warns that leaving details to secondary legislation – regulations made after the bill has already passed – offers “little certainty for those affected”.

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Sweeping new NatureScot intervention powers

The bill would also grant NatureScot sweeping new powers to intervene in deer management for “nature restoration” purposes, a term without a clear definition. By comparison, current law only permits intervention when deer are causing damage or threatening public safety.

George Macdonald of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association’s Deer Group warned: “If people are forced to cull on some subjective premise that doing so might restore something, it will be very damaging to the sector. Scottish Government and NatureScot should be incentivising greater deer management, not pushing people to the brink through unprecedented enforcement.”

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Sector vows to keep fighting at final stage

His sentiments were echoed by BASC’s Peter Clark, who urged MSPs to reconsider the provisions at the next – and final – parliamentary stage  “to ensure the final legislation supports rather than undermines the very people who deliver Scotland’s deer management”.