§ Mr. GallieTop ask the Secretary of State for Scotland what conclusions he has reached on the proposals for amendment to deer legislation in Scotland submitted to him by the Red Deer Commission. [23851]
§ Sir Hector MonroWe have given careful consideration to the Red Deer Commission's proposals and my Department has consulted organisations with a particular interest in deer matters in Scotland. In the light of the responses to this consultation, we have decided on the following proposals for deer legislation
- a. amendments to the general functions of the Red Deer Commission to include reference to furthering the "sustainable management" of all species of wild deer in Scotland. The title of the Red Deer Commission to change to "Deer Commission for Scotland";
- b. the introduction of new arrangements for the appointment of members to the commission by the Secretary of State to provide for greater flexibility together with a permissive power to allow the Secretary of State to pay remuneration to members if, at some time in the future, he should think this appropriate;
- c. amendments to the existing powers of the commission to appoint local panels;
- d. an extension of the commission's existing powers to provide advice and a new power to support demonstration and experimentation projects;
- e. amendments to the powers of the commission to deal with damage caused by deer and, in particular, the introduction of new powers to allow the commission to instigate control schemes when this is necessary to protect the natural heritage of Scotland or to safeguard public safety;
- f. a new provision to allow for voluntary control schemes to facilitate co-operative action amongst adjoining landowners to control deer;
- g. amendments to the provisions relating to close seasons for the shooting of deer to allow for these to be set by order;
- h. an amendment to allow the commission to authorise the use of vehicles or aircraft to drive deer with the intention of carrying out essential culling work;
451 - i. an updated definition of the types of agricultural land over which agricultural owners and occupiers can shoot deer, if necessary, to protect crops, pastures etc;
- j. amendments to the provisions relating to marauding deer and out of season shooting to allow the commission to authorise shooting to prevent damage to the natural heritage and to unenclosed woodlands or to protect public safety;
- k. amendments to the provisions relating to night shooting of deer so that all night shooting is subject to authorisation by the commission.
Our intention is to introduce the legislation along these lines when there is a suitable legislative opportunity.
These legislative proposals draw significantly on the ideas put forward by the Red Deer Commission and the Government would like to acknowledge its valuable help and assistance in this matter, together with all the other bodies who responded to the public debate. The proposals represent an important step forward in ensuring the sustainable management of wild deer populations in Scotland.