James
Hammond and Kevin McCulloch of NatureScot delivering the loaned mobile larder unit to David Quarrell and
fellow SGA Pilot scheme deer managers.
The Central Belt Roe Deer Pilot Scheme – the first of its kind- will enhance public safety by reducing deer/vehicle collisions on motorway networks whilst improving the condition of amenity woodlands and greenspaces.
Venison harvested through the scheme will be used to develop untapped markets, with participants also committed to supplying local foodbanks and charitable causes.
Grassroots
The grassroots initiative in East Kilbride is a unique collaboration between the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (the country’s largest body of deer management professionals), NatureScot and Scottish Government.
A mobile larder facility has been loaned by NatureScot for the scheme duration while trained deer managers will be incentivised for safe and humane population control.
Roe deer are Scotland’s most widely distributed species, with the highest proportion of collisions between deer and cars occurring around roads in the country’s most populated areas.
Animals straying onto motorways are a risk to the public, and to themselves, with the species also causing browsing damage to habitats and public sites.
Some areas within the industrial central belt house populations of 30-40 deer per sq km; over three times that recommended by the Deer Working Group, which made recommendations to Scottish Government.
Milestone for the SGA
“This is a project we have been developing for some time. To receive the backing from Scottish Government and NatureScot to deliver it is really pleasing and shows the need to control deer safely and humanely around our cities, towns and the lowlands in general,” said David Quarrell of the Scottish Gamekeepers Association (SGA) Deer Group.
“Starting to get on top of that is really important and we hope the pilot can be rolled out further, if successful.”
NatureScot’s Regional Deer Operations Manager, James Hammond said: “Sustainable deer management is vital to bring populations back into balance with the rest of nature, allowing woodland and other habitats to regenerate.
“This innovative pilot scheme gives extra support to those working hard on the ground to tackle high deer numbers in the East Kilbride area, while helping to improve public safety and provide a local supply of healthy venison.”
Scheme deer manager, Craig O’Hare (SGA) added: “Currently there are barriers to effective deer management around towns and cities, such as a lack of processing facilities and lots of different types and scales of land ownership, making collaborative management difficult.
“With this scheme, we looked at those barriers, one by one, and set out to fix them.
“Importantly, the scheme also focuses on the end product. Our aspiration is to get one of our healthiest and most sustainable meats in front of more consumers in areas where venison has not traditionally been eaten.”
Multiple benefits
The project has potential to grow each year and will be evaluated on an annual basis.
Deer managers on the scheme will be accredited to the SGA, which has trained over 1000 deer managers, and a registered game dealer will handle food standards and distribution.
Project boundaries mean enhanced deer management will benefit public safety, and woodland condition, preventing agricultural damage and helping to protect designated and peatland sites.
Compliance and transparency will be ensured by scheme participants logging each deer taken on a special wildlife management App, developed by NatureScot.
Supporting venison consumption
Agriculture Minister Jim Fairlie (above, left) said:
“This pilot will help preserve our biodiversity while giving more people access to high-quality, sustainable venison - a healthy, low-carbon protein that deserves a bigger place on Scottish plates and in Scottish kitchens.
“Scotland's deer are an iconic part of our landscape, and we want to maximise the benefits they bring to our communities, from providing us with a healthy sustainable food source, to offering social and economic opportunities in rural communities.
“Good deer management protects young woodlands, supports peatland restoration, and helps our ecosystems recover. But it also sustains skilled jobs in rural areas and produces excellent food.”
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