Agency Selection of Natural Heritage Sites for Joint Action

Addressing the negative impacts of wild deer

Introduction

As part of the approach agreed by agencies in March 2004, sites for Joint Agency Working are being identified by an objective and transparent process focussing primarily on those sites most in need of attention.

The main steps of identifying sites with concerns, assessing sites and prioritising for action are explained below and through the links provided.

Natural Heritage site 'Audit List'

(replaces 'expressions of concern')

The condition of all designated sites is monitored on a 6-year cycle, providing an overview of factors affecting their condition. Uisng this information a Site Audit List has been prepared by SNH which examines which designated interests could be affected by herbivore impacts. The Audit List records for each site whether features are unfavourable because of grazing or trampling impacts, and the types of grazing animals present. The list includes those features with impacts attributable to deer either on their own or in combination with other herbivores.

Inclusion on the Audit List does not, however, confer a judgement about the reasons for the condition of the features on the site. Further site monitoring will often be undertaken to confirm the nature and distribution of herbivore impacts and to establish a robust evidence baseline from which change can be measured objectively.

The Audit List has been used as a basis for prioritising sites for inclusion onto the work programme using the best information available; to make the best use of taxpayers money and to bring forward those sites in most need of attention. This prioritisation better directs the placing of sites within the Joint Working Programme to best deliver key environmental and rural outcomes for Scotland; including the target to bring designated features into favourable condition.

Work Programme

(includes what were formerly 'sites for assessment' and 'priority sites')

The work programme details sites where agencies are working jointly to address grazing & trampling impacts. This includes sites where:

(a) Action is underway on sites agreed as the highest priority;

(b) Sites undergoing additional monitoring (eg to establish an evidence baseline); and,

(c) Sites where positive opportunity is likely to lead to enhancement through voluntary approaches and incentive schemes (eg Scottish Rural Development Programme- Rural Priorities).

Features may be considered to be 'recovering' where there is an agreed program of management over the site which has been secured by a formal agreement (for example this may take the form of an agreement under Section 7 of the Deer (Scotland) Act 1996 , a Memorandum of Agreement or a contract under Rural Priorities). Progress on these sites will continue to be monitored and reviewed until habitat monitoring indicates that the condition of features is improving.

Other site work

There will be sites where other impacts are not linked to deer; where there are no deer present; or where features have been found to be unfavourable for reasons not connect with grazing and trampling. In such cases, SNH are working with SGRPID (Scottish Government Rural Payments and Inspections Directorate) and FCS to look at ways of addressing the factors leading to that unfavourable natural heritage condition (for example where on-site management may be able to make a difference).