Welfare and Competence in Sustainable Deer Management
Introduction - The Sustainable Management of a National Resource
Sustainable management of wild deer is at the heart of all good deer management planning, decisions and practices. The welfare of wild deer is at the heart of all good sustainable management. In 2005 DCS consulted on possible changes to the Close Seasons for wild deer. At the end of this consultation it was clear that some of the issues raised were fundamental to the future direction of deer management in Scotland and required further exploration. It is within this context that DCS is co-ordinating three inter-linked projects in partnership with the deer sector looking at safeguarding the welfare of wild deer: -
- Demonstrating ‘Competence’
- Developing a ‘Unified Data’ system
- Developing a Responsibility of Care
What has been achieved so far?
To date we have looked at the need for each of these projects i.e. the rationale behind them and also defined, in broad terms, the purpose of each of the projects (further details on the individual projects can be accessed through the links above).
Each of the projects is being developed through the following 6 key stages:
- Providing Evidence/Background Information
- Defining/Developing Criteria
- Demonstrating/Producing a Draft
- Monitoring
- Regulating
- Testing and Evaluation
Stages 1-5 are being taken forward by a) reports compiled on specific areas of the project produced by external consultants commissioned by DCS and by DCS staff and b) by engaging with stakeholders to involve them in taking the projects forward. These stages will identify and explore practical options based on evidence and background information. Practical proposals will then be evaluated through the testing of ideas on the ground. (Stage 6 above – Testing and Evaluation).
Engagement
Summary of Welfare and Competence November 2007 workshop 
Summary of Welfare and Competence May 2008 workshop
Reports
The reports (17 in total) provide a key focus for stakeholder engagement.
These reports cover each of the three inter-linked project areas – Competence, Unified Data and Responsibility of Care.
The reports are available to download on the individual project area sections of this website. These pages can be accessed using the links on the left-hand side or at the bottom of this page.
Key Dates / Additional Information -
Spring 2009 – DCS will hold a seminar to build on the emerging themes from the seminar in November 2007 and to identify practical proposals to deliver the projects on the ground. Further details on this seminar will be available on the website.
2008 to 2009 – The proposals will be tested on the ground.
2010 – Recommendations from the projects will be reported back to Scottish Government Ministers. For further information about the Welfare and Competence seminar held in November 2007 please click link above.
Contact
For further information on these projects please contact Jessica Findlay on 01463 725370 or at Jessica.findlay@dcs.gov.uk