4th July 2008
An inspirational and confidence-building suite of new guides on how to manage Scotland’s wild deer to the highest standards was launched today by Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment Richard Lochhead.
The Best Practice Guidance is a series of individual publications developed over the last five years through a partnership involving Government agencies and Scotland’s deer sector organisations, facilitated by the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS). The guides – covering topics such as shot placement, lardering techniques, habitat monitoring and deer counts – will help to inspire confidence among those working in the deer sector and also the wider public, with a particular focus on safeguarding public safety, food safety and deer welfare.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Best Practice Guidance at Scone Game Fair in Perth, Mr Lochhead said: “I am delighted to launch the new Best Practice Guidance on the management of wild deer in Scotland, which will provide great opportunities for agencies to work together to improve management of the deer sector. “The 74 guides that make up the Guidance will provide legal guidance as well as information on how to protect the public, food safety and welfare of our deer. Many different aspects of the deer sector, from stalkers to venison dealers stand to benefit from this new development.”
Development of the new publication was coordinated by DCS through the Best Practice Steering Group, a partnership of Government agencies and deer sector organisations. Chairman of the steering group Bob McIntosh said: “The Best Practice Guidance is the culmination of five years of hard work by all of those involved. The partnership of the Best Practice Steering Group was key to the development of the guides and it is also the reason why the guides have been so well received. The guides have been compiled by the deer sector for the deer sector.”
He continued: “As well as inspiring confidence within this sector, the new guidance is designed to inspire confidence among a wider audience too. “By focusing on public safety, food safety and deer welfare the guidance provides a clear insight into the high standards at which deer managers in Scotland are operating. This kind of approach is crucial in a climate where accountability and public scrutiny is continually increasing. ”The launch of the guidance here today is also only the first stage in promoting Best Practice throughout the deer sector. A Best Practice Partnership will soon be formed from the existing steering group to develop new ways for the deer sector to take ownership for the implementation and refinement of best practice in the future.”
Vice-chairman of the Deer Commission for Scotland, Andrew Barbour, said: “Today marks the culmination of years of hard work by the agencies, the deer sector organisations and the individuals involved in taking this forward and making it work. The Best Practice Guidance has had input from a huge number of different people – experts in specific areas of deer management, those people who go out and manage deer on a daily basis as well as the people involved in the legislative aspects of managing Scotland’s wild deer. “The involvement of such a broad spectrum has created a dynamic and unique set of publications which will help to ensure Scotland’s wild deer remain an asset and an important resource into the future.”
For further information, to arrange interviews or to request photographs please contact:
Alastair MacGugan Deer Commission for Scotland E – Alastair.macgugan@dcs.gov.uk Web – www.dcs.gov.uk
NOTES TO EDITORS
The Best Practice Guidance is a suite of 74 guides, both in print and electronic format, which has been developed through a partnership involving Government agencies and organisations from across Scotland’s deer sector.
The guides are wide ranging and provide clarity on the laws relating to the management of wild deer in Scotland. At the centre of the guides there are three key themes – safeguarding public safety, ensuring food safety and taking full account of deer welfare. Topics covered include the ecology of deer, deer health, determining the age of deer, maintaining firearms, information about Lyme’s disease and how to assess damage caused by deer.
Development of the guides began in 2003 and has progressed through the Best Practice Steering Group, a body comprising the Deer Commission for Scotland, Forestry Commission Scotland, the Scottish Gamekeepers Association, the British Deer Society, the Association of Deer Management Groups, the British Association for Shooting and Conservation and LANTRA.
The Deer Commission for Scotland is the public body responsible for furthering the conservation, control and sustainable management of all species of wild deer in Scotland, and for keeping under review all matters relating to wild deer, including their welfare.
Forestry Commission Scotland serves as the Scottish Government’s forestry directorate. For more information log on to www.forestry.gov.uk/aboutfcs
The Best Practice Guidance is available online at www.dcs.gov.uk or by contacting the Deer Commission for Scotland on 01786 446282.
25 April 2008
Campaign highlights dangers of deer on Scotland's roads
DRIVERS in Scotland were today urged to drive with extra caution as part of a campaign to raise awareness of the dangers associated with wild deer on the country’s roads. Research funded by the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS) has highlighted the increased risk of deer-vehicle collisions depending on geographical location, time of day, time of year and deer species.
The risk of a collision with deer reaches a peak during May when juvenile roe deer are dispersing from the area where they were born and red deer remain on low ground to feed on fresh spring grass growing by the roadside.
The research, which was conducted by the Deer Initiative, also highlighted a higher deer-vehicle collision risk in early morning and evening, and idenitifed locations where the threat was greater than others.
Although deer are an accident risk throughout the year DCS warned drivers to be extra vigilant during May and June when the risk increased. The Agency also highlighted the need for drivers to take care when driving on urban roads as deer also occur in Scotland’s towns and cities.
DCS Director of Deer Management, Robbie Kernahan said: “This research provides us with detailed information about the different factors involved in deer vehicle collisions. It enables us to make informed decisions about where to take measures to reduce collisions, for example through warning drivers or reducing cover for deer alongside roads. “A great deal of work has been done in recent years, bringing different organisations together to look at introducing measures to reduce the accident rates. Driver awareness remains an important part of the solution. “We will continue to monitor the issue and find solutions so that people can enjoy seeing deer in Scotland but at the same time ensure they do not pose a threat to public safety.” To highlight the dangers posed by deer to as many road users as possible text will be displayed on Variable Message Signs at locations throughout Scotland from now until 7th May. A spokesman for Transport Scotland, which operates the signs, said: "Transport Scotland is pleased to work with The Deer Commission on this initiative as it helps support our aim of reducing the risk of accidents by ensuring drivers are aware of animal wildlife in the nearby area. "Use of information services such as variable message signs, the Traffic Scotland website (www.trafficscotland.org) and our Customer Care line (0800 028 1414), that form part of our wider information services, are vital to help drivers plan their journeys in advance."
The research into deer vehicle collisions was conducted by the Deer Initiative. The organisation recorded the number of collisions not only in Scotland but across the UK as a whole. Jochen Langbein of the Deer Initiative said: “The annual toll of 8000 or more collisions between vehicles and deer in Scotland alone results not only in numerous human injury accidents and several million pounds in car repair costs, but also present a very major animal welfare issue. “Around a third of all deer hit by vehicles survive the initial impact but suffer for prolonged periods at the roadside until a qualified person can attend to dispatch or treat them. Research to date has helped to assess the minimum scale and geographic distribution of the problem but submission of further records of deer vehicle collisions to the project will be required over the coming years to identify the worst affected road sections more precisely and to monitor the effectiveness of mitigation measures being implemented.”
21 April 2008
The ability to engage with stakeholders and sound deer management expertise are crucial to the sustainable management of Scotland’s wild deer resource, according to the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS).
Speaking on the day Scottish Environment Minister Mike Russell confirmed the merger between the Deer Commission for Scotland and Scottish Natural Heritage, DCS Chairman John Milne said the ability to speak and listen to those working in the deer sector, and to apply deer management expertise in a balanced and considered way were key factors in making deer management a success.
He said, “Now that the Minister has confirmed that the merger will take place, I, with the Board of DCS and staff, will work with SNH and the Scottish Government to build upon the advances made in recent years to secure the sustainable management of Scotland’s wild deer resource.
The need to balance differing land uses while securing deer welfare was at the heart of the debate that led to the creation of the Deer Commission for Scotland and will be just as relevant when the merger takes place. This requirement to balance differing land use aspirations has ensured DCS has adopted an empathetic working style with all in the deer sector which is built on sound expertise and it is important that this continues.”
Commenting on the news DCS Chief Executive Nick Halfhide highlighted the work currently conducted by DCS and the need to strengthen deer management capacity within government through the merger process.
He said: “The Deer Commission’s current work programme will develop new ways to strengthen the delivery of sustainable deer management in line with the Scottish Government’s forthcoming Strategy for Wild Deer. As we prepare for the merger, we will work closely with SNH to ensure that our combined ability to deliver this programme is maintained and strengthened to the benefit of all concerned with the management of Scottish wild deer.”
Please click here to read the Scottish Government press release
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