New guidance inspires confidence in Scotland's deer management
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
W: www.dcs.gov.uk
NOTES TO THE EDITOR
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 towww.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.