Big day for deer at Holyrood - what happened?

 

The General Principles of the Natural Environment Bill were discussed at the Scottish Parliament today (0ct 30th), with several MSPs reinforcing the need for the final Bill to preserve the goodwill and trust built up within the voluntary deer management system.

 

Both Rural Affairs Committee Convener, Finlay Carson, and Emma Harper MSP, included in their presentations that the Bill, whilst modernising deer management, must take care not to damage the relationships which currently deliver the majority of Scotland’s annual deer cull.

 

This point reinforces the one made by the SGA in its pre-debate briefing, which you can read here: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/latest-news/2024/2025-10-29-watch-the-natural-environment-bill-debate.php

While Stage One focuses primarily on what the Bill is trying to achieve, how the legislation finally ends up on paper is influenced by amendments put forward at Stages 2 and 3.

 

From today’s discussions, it is likely that tenant crofters and farmers will propose an amendment to the 1996 Deer Act which will enable them to manage deer on all land, where they are causing damage to their properties, rather than just on improved land.

 

Alasdair Allan MSP alluded to this, in his contribution to the debate, so members can expect this to come forward.

 

The SGA ran a Guest Article on this issue, recently, see: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/latest-news/2024/2025-09-23-should-crofters-have-more-options-on-deer.php

Members can also expect the Greens, perhaps assisted by the Lib Dems and others, to table amendments asking for pheasant releases to be licensed.

 

Lorna Slater, MSP, referred to pheasants in her submission as non-native ‘tropical birds’, despite the fact they were first introduced to Britain in the Roman period.

 

Minister Jim Fairlie, one of 3 Ministers dealing with the Bill, said he hoped the Bill empowered land managers to continue their valued contributions in tackling the biodiversity crisis.

 

Importantly, he said deer management should be seen ‘not as the management of a pest species but the harnessing of a resource,’ echoing the sentiments of the SGA’s own Deer Vision, see: https://www.scottishgamekeepers.co.uk/deer-vision/

 

The SGA will be engaging with MSPs throughout all Stages of the Bill to ensure the best outcome for our members.