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Demand for better control of marauding wild deer      7/2/14

 

Progress over controlling deer numbers is too slow while some deer management groups lack public accountability, according to a Scottish Parliament committee.

 

The voluntary system which, since 2012, is responsible for managing red deer, is ineffective, it is said.

 

The rural affairs committee demands deer management groups to have plans in place by the end of 2016, or face further action should the voluntary approach fail.

 

Convener of the committee, Rob Gibson said: “There is no doubt that this is a controversial subject with strong views on either side of the debate.

 

“What was clear from the evidence our committee heard was that we need deer management groups to be effective and environmentally responsible, bringing in all interests, not just those of landowners.

 

“At the moment, the picture is patchy and inconsistent.

 

“The committee considers that there is no definitive evidence of the need to introduce a statutory duty of sustainable deer management for deer management groups at this point in time.

 

“However, if all deer management groups do not get their act together, this committee will have no choice but to recommend further action.”