Annual Report 2004-2005

16th November 2006

Some of the public money used to support sustainable deer management in Scotland must be allocated to address areas where deer are causing significant adverse impacts, according to the Deer Commission for Scotland (DCS).

The Government agency now has in place a three-stage process to ensure public resources are allocated as effectively as possible to achieve this objective. Details of the process are contained in the Deer Commission for Scotland Annual Report 2004/2005 which is laid before the Scottish Parliament today (Wednesday 16th November).

DCS Chairman John Milne said: “As part of its role to encourage sustainable deer management in Scotland, it is important that the DCS focuses its resources wisely on areas where deer are causing or are likely to cause damage to Scotland’s natural heritage, agricultural land or woodland areas, or are posing a danger to public safety through increased deer-related road accidents.

“The DCS, with other government agencies, has developed what is called the Priority Site Process, using clearly defined methods to assess whether deer are causing damage. If deer are causing or are likely to cause damage, DCS enters into discussions with landowners and land managers to agree appropriate deer management measures for the future.

“The process begins when DCS receives an expression of concern in which deer are suspected of causing damage to the natural heritage, agriculture, woodland or agriculture, or threatening public safety.

“DCS staff then work with other Government agencies and the relevant  landowners and land managers to establish whether damage is occurring, which areas are affected and to what extent, or whether deer are posing a threat to public safety. This is called the Site for Assessment stage.

“The third, or Priority Site, stage occurs when it is established that deer are causing, or are likely to cause damage, or are a threat to public safety. DCS then works in close partnership with the landowners and occupiers to establish a Deer Control Agreement which provides agreed methods to reduce damage and achieve a sustainable deer population, or mitigate the threat to public safety.”

The 56-page Deer Commission for Scotland Annual Report includes an up-to-date map providing details of Priority Sites and Sites for Assessment already established across Scotland. The report also provides information about the role of the Deer Commission for Scotland, policies to improve deer management activities, details about culling and deer census operations, Best Practice Guides, deer-related research and profiles of Board members and staff.

The Report is available online at www.dcs.gov.uk or on request from the Deer Commission for Scotland.

NOTES TO THE EDITOR

The Deer Commission for Scotland is the Non-Departmental Public Body charged with furthering the conservation, control and sustainable management of all species of wild deer in Scotland, and keeping under review all matters, including welfare, relating to wild deer.

For more information and to arrange interviews please contact:

Alastair MacGugan
Deer Commission for Scotland
Email: Alastair.macgugan@dcs.gov.uk
Web: www.dcs.gov.uk